Armontrout Seeks Court-Appointed Attorney In Murder Case
Posted
Kaitie Vanderpool-
The Warsaw woman accused of the shooting death Wednesday night of a Pierceton man appeared in front of Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed Thursday afternoon and requested a court-appointed attorney. Reed granted the request, though an attorney has not yet been named. According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, county deputies responded just after 7 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a shooting at 44 EMS B10 Lane, Pierceton. Officers met with an individual who identified himself as Joseph Glant, 54, Warsaw, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his buttocks. Glant advised Sonya L. Armontrout, 42, Warsaw, shot him and then shot Steven Carman, 51, Pierceton, who Glant believed was dead. Glant also advised Armontrout was Carman’s former girlfriend and the mother of his children. As officers arrived at the residence, Armontrout reportedly exited with her hands in the air and with two small children behind her. As officers were placing her under arrest, one child informed police that “mommy shot daddy” while the other child informed police that “daddy is dead.” Officers entered the residence and found Carman lying on the couch with gunshot wounds to the chest and head. Officers also found a 9 mm handgun on the kitchen counter. Carman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police interviewed Glant further who advised he stopped at Carman’s residence, and Carman was showing him around when Sonya came out of the closet and shot Glant one time and then shot Carman three to four times and he observed Carman fall to the floor. Glant then fled the residence. Officers later obtained the 911 call from Kosciusko County dispatch, placed by Carman’s daughter, who stated, “Daddy needs help,” and, “Mommy shot daddy.” The dispatcher reportedly asked the child for an address, and Carman then got on the phone and attempted to give the address and then stated, “Sonya just shot me.” The affidavit states that after Armontrout and Carman’s relationship ended, Armontrout was living in Warsaw and Carman had a protective order against her, which was in effect until May 2015. The protective order stated that Armontrout was to stay away from Carman’s residence and/or properties and should not have been inside the residence at the time of the incident. Armontrout was preliminarily charged with murder, attempted murder and burglary – all Class A felonies. If convicted, murder is punishable by up to 65 years in prison and attempted murder and burglary are punishable from 20 to 50 years in prison. In all, Armontrout could be facing a 165-year prison sentence. Armontrout was released back into custody at the Kosciusko County Jail and a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. No bond amount has been assigned.
