WABASH -ÊA North Manchester man killed in his mobile home in July was beaten to death with a baseball bat while laying in his bed and robbed of $300, according to probable cause affidavits from Wabash County.

Jacob Malone Jr., 24, of Peru, allegedly told friends that he used a baseball bat to hit Leodegario M. Rodriguez, 30, of North Manchester, in the head almost 30 times. Then Malone reportedly joked about the sound of Rodriguez's last breath.

Malone, Samuel Sims, 22, of Peru, and Harrison Shane Dickerhoff, 21, of Peru, are each charged with murder and burglary and robbery, both Class A felonies.

The three men reportedly split $300 they stole from Rodriguez during the robbery.

Malone, Sims and Dickerhoff appeared in Wabash Circuit Court Tuesday for initial hearings. If found guilty of murder, the men face 45 to 65 years in prison. The Class A felony robbery and burglary charges carry up to 50 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the coroner's report, Rodriguez's death was caused by a skull fracture from a blow to the back of his head. The coroner believes the death occurred around 10 a.m. July 12, the day his body was found. However, police are unsure if Rodriguez died late July 11 or early July 12 because they have received conflicting stories about the incident.

Rodriguez's body was found face down in his bed by a neighbor around 4 p.m. July 12.

Two others held in connection with the robbery, Steven Dickerhoff, 21, of Peru, and Kristie West, 21, of Royal Center, appeared for initial hearing Tuesday as well. They face charges of aiding in burglary and aiding in robbery, both Class A felonies. The felony charges can bring 20 to 50 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

All five persons entered not guilty pleas Tuesday afternoon and are being held in the Wabash County Jail. Malone, Sims and Harrison Shane Dickerhoff are being held without bond, while a $200,000 bond was set for Steven Dickerhoff and West.

According to the probable cause affidavits, Steven Dickerhoff told police the five suspects drove to North Manchester July 11 to rob Rodriguez because they believed Rodriguez had a lot of money.

After arriving in North Manchester and parking down the street from Rodriguez's home, Harrison Shane Dickerhoff, Sims and Malone left the car and went into Rodriguez's mobile home. The three returned to the car about half an hour later, and said they got Rodriguez's money.

Police questioned West last week, who told police the bat used to beat Rodriguez was in a wooded area near Smith Street in Peru. A wooden bat believed to be the murder weapon was found in that area Friday.

When first questioned Thursday, West said Harrison Shane Dickerhoff, Malone and Sims left the car to rob Rodriguez.

Friday, West asked police to change her story and said Steven Dickerhoff left the car with the other three men in the early morning hours of July 12. She also said Malone talked about hitting Rodriguez in the head almost 30 times and laughed about the sounds of Rodriguez's last breath.

Each of the five suspects will have another hearing early in 2006. [[In-content Ad]]