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Amanda Bach
McCowan seeking to toss out conviction/sentence
VALPARAISO | A public defender brought in to handle the appeal for convicted murderer Dustin McCowan is seeking to toss out the conviction and/or 60-year sentence because Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa did not step aside after learning about a telephone call with McCowan from the jai…
McCowan transferred to begin serving 60-year term for murder
VALPARAISO | Less than three weeks after being sentenced to 60 years for murdering his former girlfriend, Dustin McCowan has been transferred to the Pendleton Correctional Facility to begin serving his time.
No charges will be filed against Elliott McCowan in Bach murder
VALPARAISO | No charges will be filed against Elliott McCowan, the father of convicted murderer Dustin McCowan, in the death of Amanda Bach.
Day of beauty fund-raiser honors Bach, raises awareness
VALPARAISO | Anna McDonald hopes a day of beauty will not only honor the memory of Amanda Bach but also will bring awareness to dating violence and relationship abuse.
Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach
VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan smiled with jail guards as he was escorted out of the courtroom Thursday afternoon after being sentenced to a near-maximum of 60 years in prison for the Sept. 16, 2011 murder of his former girlfriend Amanda Bach of Portage.
March 28, 2013 6:30 pm PhotosPhotos
McCowan murder sentencing Thursday
VALPARAISO | Thirty days after Dustin McCowan was whisked out of the courtroom after being found guilty of murdering former girlfriend Amanda Bach, he will make a return visit Thursday afternoon to face sentencing.
March 27, 2013 5:15 pm PhotosPhotos
Mom: No winners in McCowan murder conviction
VALPARAISO | Just hours after a jury found Dustin McCowan guilty of murdering her 19-year-old daughter, Sandy Bach told reporters Wednesday morning there are no winners in the case.
Police believe McCowan's father may have helped in cover-up
VALPARAISO | Porter County police confirmed Wednesday morning they are looking into the possibility that the father of convicted murderer Dustin McCowan — Crown Point Police Officer Joseph Elliott McCowan — aided his son in attempting to cover up the crime.
February 27, 2013 10:03 am PhotosPhotos
McCowan guilty of murder in death of Amanda Bach
VALPARAISO | A Porter County jury took six and half hours to find Dustin McCowan guilty of murder late Tuesday night in the Sept. 16, 2011, slaying of his former girlfriend Amanda Bach.
February 26, 2013 11:57 pm PhotosPhotos
Murder trial ending Tuesday
VALPARAISO | After three weeks of evidence and testimony, the jury is expected to begin deliberating Tuesday on the fate of Dustin McCowan -- accused of murdering his former girlfriend Amanda Bach.
Dustin McCowan opts against telling his side of the story
VALPARAISO | The evidence portion of the Dustin McCowan murder trial wrapped up Thursday afternoon with the accused opting against taking the witness stand to tell his side of the story.
February 21, 2013 3:30 pm PhotosPhotos
Inmate tells jurors McCowan admitted to shooting a girl
VALPARAISO | One of the first witnesses called on behalf of Dustin McCowan told jurors Wednesday that McCowan had sent her a text on the night his former girlfriend Amanda Bach is believed to have been killed saying he was not home.
February 20, 2013 5:30 pm PhotosPhotos
Cops: Cellphone shows McCowan did not stay home on morning of killing
VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan claims he was home during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2011 -- when it is believed his former girlfriend Amanda Bach was killed.
February 19, 2013 5:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Defense expert says Bach's body dumped a day later than prosecutors claim
VALPARAISO | A forensic insect specialist countered one of his former instructors Friday when he testified on behalf of the defense that Amanda Bach's body was most likely dumped Sept. 17, 2011, a day later than prosecutors are alleging.
February 15, 2013 7:48 pm PhotosPhotos
McCowan gun discovered missing day Bach's body recovered
VALPARAISO | The father of Dustin McCowan told jurors Thursday morning he discovered a .38-caliber, five-shot revolver missing from his then-Union Township home on the day his son's former girlfriend was found shot to death fewer than 300 yards from the house.
February 14, 2013 5:40 pm PhotosPhotos
Expert said Bach's body likely dumped day before it was discovered
VALPARAISO | A forensic insect specialist testified Wednesday morning that homicide victim Amanda Bach's body likely had been dumped the day before it was discovered Sept. 17, 2011, along railroad tracks in rural Union Township.
February 13, 2013 3:00 pm PhotosPhotos
Friend tells jurors McCowan acted odd after Bach disappeared
VALPARAISO | A woman with Dustin McCowan on the morning of Sept. 16, 2011, told jurors Tuesday she thought it odd one of McCowan's first comments was he and former girlfriend Amanda Bach had not fought the night before considering the turbulent nature of their relationship.
Police: McCowan shirt like one found with homicide victim's DNA
VALPARAISO | The orange long-sleeve T-shirt containing the DNA of murder victim Amanda Bach is like one found among the jail belongings of the person charged with the killing – Dustin McCowan.
Cop: T-shirt with Bach's blood found near McCowan's home
VALPARAISO | Porter County Sheriff's Department Patrolman Darrell Hobgood held up a bright orange long-sleeved T-shirt for the jury to see Friday afternoon.
Witness 100 percent sure he saw McCowan near site where Bach's body was found
VALPARAISO | A Union Township man told jurors Thursday morning he is 100 percent sure he saw Dustin McCowan walking south along County Road 650 West about 2:25 a.m. Sept. 16, 2011, the morning McCowan is accused of murdering former girlfriend Amanda Bach.
February 07, 2013 6:17 pm PhotosPhotos
Defense in McCowan murder trial point finger at someone else
VALPARAISO | A Wheeler man who led police to the missing body of Amanda Bach vehemently denied repeated suggestions by defense attorneys on Wednesday that he, and not Dustin McCowan, is responsible for her death.
February 06, 2013 3:15 pm PhotosPhotos
Prosecutor: McCowan's neighbor heard gunshots on night of murder
VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan covered his face with his hand, looked down and later wiped his eyes with a tissue while prosecutors showed autopsy photos of his former girlfriend and homicide victim 19-year-old Amanda Bach.
Judge nixes request to move murder trial
VALPARAISO | A defense attorney made a last-minute attempt Monday to move the murder trial of Dustin McCowan out of Porter County or at least choose jurors from elsewhere.
February 04, 2013 5:00 pm PhotosPhotos
Judge: Autopsy photos can be shown during McCowan murder trial
VALPARAISO | A judge denied a request by the defense Wednesday to bar autopsy photos during next month's Dustin McCowan murder trial.
January 09, 2013 6:00 pm PhotosPhotos
Judge tosses dog evidence in Union Twp. murder trial
VALPARAISO | A judge has ruled bloodhound evidence will not be introduced during the February murder trial involving Union Township resident Dustin McCowan.
Change of venue denied; McCowan trial date set
VALPARAISO | After denying a motion for a change of venue Thursday, Porter County Superior Court Judge William Alexa set a trial date of Feb. 4 for Dustin McCowan in the murder of Amanda Bach.
August 16, 2012 2:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Bach murder trial delayed
VALPARAISO | A 19-year-old Union Township man accused of killing his former girlfriend last year will not face a jury in August as was expected.
July 13, 2012 8:30 pm PhotosPhotos
Judge: No delay in Aug. 13 McCowan murder trial
VALPARAISO | Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa called a special hearing Friday to make it clear he would like to see the Dustin McCowan murder trial begin as scheduled on Aug. 13.
June 08, 2012 11:49 am PhotosPhotos
Despite $10,000 reward offer, police confident in McCowan's arrest
VALPARAISO | While a reward may be on the table for information leading to the person responsible for Amanda Bach's death, police remain firm in believing that person already is in custody.
February 16, 2012 3:35 pm PhotosPhotos
McCowan supporter offers reward for suspect in Bach homicide
UNION TOWNSHIP | Family and friends of Dustin McCowan believe it was not the 19-year-old who killed his former girlfriend Amanda Bach, but someone else, possibly a multistate serial killer.
February 15, 2012 9:00 pm PhotosPhotos
Bond denied to 19-year-old in Bach slaying
VALPARAISO | On the night 19-year-old Amanda Bach was slain, former boyfriend Dustin McCowan spent nearly three hours text messaging a neighbor claiming to be wrapping up chores at his Union Township home before coming over to visit.
November 16, 2011 5:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Bond sought in Bach murder case
VALPARAISO | The defense attorney representing murder suspect Dustin McCowan has taken the unusual move of requesting bond.
October 26, 2011 4:45 pm PhotosPhotos
More cellphone search warrants in Bach case
VALPARAISO | Another wave of cellphone record search warrants has been issued in the Amanda Bach murder case.
More cellphone search warrants in Bach case
VALPARAISO | Two more search warrants were issued for cellphone records of people believed to have been in contact with Amanda Bach and her ex-boyfriend in the hours before Bach's slaying.
Subpoena issued for cellphone records in Bach case
VALPARAISO | A subpoena has been issued for records from cellphones belonging to 19-year-old Amanda Bach and the father of her accused killer, Dustin McCowan.
Portage Board of Works approves fundraisers
PORTAGE | The Board of Works on Monday approved several community events and fundraisers:
High-profile investigations taking toll on Porter County Sheriff's Department
VALPARAISO | Investigations into high-profile crimes such as the slaying of Portage resident Amanda Bach are taking a financial toll on the Porter County Sheriff's Department.
Parade honors memory of Amanda Bach
PORTAGE | Through the early darkness Tuesday night, a stream of light walked up Willowcreek Road. More than 100 friends, acquaintances and even strangers came to honor Amanda Bach, the Portage 19-year-old who was shot and killed Sept. 16 in Union Township.
September 28, 2011 12:00 am PhotosPhotos
Investigators analyzing iPod Touch, phone of McCowan
VALPARAISO | A search warrant is looking into a cellphone and iPod Touch 18-year-old Dustin McCowan had when he was arrested for the alleged murder of Amanda Bach, 19, of Portage.
Schoolmate plans walk to remember Bach
PORTAGE | Carolyn Rodriguez remembers Amanda Bach as someone who loved parades.
Family, friends remember Amanda Bach at funeral
PORTAGE | Family, friends and hundreds of community members touched by 19-year-old Amanda Bach's life filled the pews of Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church on Friday morning for a funeral Mass.
September 23, 2011 7:00 pm PhotosPhotos
Police continue search for evidence in Union Township homicide
UNION TOWNSHIP | Porter County police on Thursday continued searching for evidence in the case of a Portage woman's slaying.
September 22, 2011 2:30 pm PhotosPhotos
Attorney: McCowan asserting innocence in Bach murder
UNION TOWNSHIP | As divers searched a pond north of Wheeler High School for possible evidence in the homicide of Amanda Bach, the man accused of killing the 19-year-old is denying any involvement in her death.
September 21, 2011 3:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Hearing held, details released in Bach death investigation
VALPARAISO | Dustin McCowan will spend at least the next five months in Porter County Jail, awaiting trial in the murder of 19-year-old Amanda Bach.
September 20, 2011 12:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Coroner: Gunshot wound to the neck cause of Bach's death
VALPARAISO | An 18-year-old Union Township man has been charged with fatally shooting 19-year-old Amanda Bach.
September 19, 2011 6:00 pm PhotosPhotos
Portage, Wheeler high schools help students after Bach's death
There was nothing normal about Monday at either Portage or Wheeler high schools.
Suspect in custody in Portage woman's death
VALPARAISO | Police say the 18-year-old whom Amanda Bach was headed to visit when she went missing Thursday night is responsible for her death.
September 18, 2011 4:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Police: Body of missing Portage woman found
WHEELER | The body of a missing 19-year-old Portage woman was found Saturday afternoon, officials said.
September 17, 2011 7:45 pm PhotosPhotos
Police search for missing Portage woman
Porter County authorities and the family of a missing 19-year-old Portage girl are asking anyone who may have seen her early Friday morning to notify police.
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