Conveying forgiveness from victims is something not usually done during sentencing of defendants. But that's what Deputy Prosecutor Chuck Waggoner did Tuesday when the third of five suspects in the "Amish basing" cases was in Kosciusko Superior Court. The victims in the case asked Waggoner to tell the suspects that they were forgiven.Waggoner told the court the victims' statement was "very different" and something he had never done before.He also pointed out that while the focus during sentencing is on the defendant, he felt that it was his duty to remind the court of the victims who were "sought out for harm." Erik L.Stevenson, 19, of Nappanee, was one of three defendants in the case who chose to enter into a plea agreement through which he was sentenced to six years in prison, of which two years were suspended for probation.He must also perform 500 hours of community service.
Ruth Anne Long, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016