Adam Wade Porter

WHITLEY COUNTY — The Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office will request a grand jury to be impaneled to review the evidence in the shooting death of Adam Porter, which occurred at 305 W. Buckeye St., South Whitley, on Aug. 14. The date of the grand jury has not been set.

The initial investigation revealed Porter was shot and killed by the owner of the residence, David Hagan. Hagan maintained the shooting was in self-defense and he remains uncharged pending a full investigation.

Indiana law permits a prosecuting attorney to call a grand jury to review allegations of criminal activity. A grand jury is a body consisting of six county residents selected at random by the Whitley Circuit Court.

Ultimately, it is the grand jury that makes the determination as to whether criminal charges are warranted and what those charges should be. The prosecuting attorney serves as the legal adviser for grand jurors as they examine the evidence of a case.

Grand juries have the ability to subpoena witnesses, collect documents and investigate issues related to the purpose for which they are called. If a grand jury determines charges are appropriate, an indictment is issued. The grand jury can also determine that criminal charges are inappropriate and that an indictment will not be issued.

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