Shoffner charged with murder by Herald-Argus

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The La Porte County

Shoffner charged with murder Suspect said he accidentally stabbed girlfriend By MATT FRITZ

Staff writer 1-219-326-3887 mfritz@heraldargus.com

La PORTE — A murder suspect said he was playing with his knife when he accidentally stabbed his girlfriend in the neck, chest and possibly the hand, before stuffing her into a freezer and leaving her

to freeze solid at her La Porte home last week. At least that was the story he allegedly shared with investigators when they took him into custody on Sunday in La Porte. Daniel Shoffner, 47, of La Porte, was formally charged with murder on Tuesday for allegedly stabbing Birdie Elder to death at 116 McClung Road. According to the affidavit, Shoffner told Detective Jim Ferguson he killed Elder on either Thursday, June 12, or Friday, June 13, after the two

had an argument about Elder’s family and Shoffner started doing “knife moves.” He initially said he only stabbed Elder in the neck by mistake, but then admitted to stabbing her in the chest. He said he also might have stabbed her in the hand when she tried to block him. He then allegedly held her after she collapsed, and remained holding her until she stopped breathing. She reportedly died after 10 or 20 minutes. Then she was stuffed in the freezer to keep cool.

The pocket knife used in the murder was allegedly gifted to Shoffner by Elder. La Porte police officers responded to the residence on Sunday night after a 911 call tipped them off about the murder and the presence of a mental subject. The call was made by a relative of Shoffner after he allegedly admitted the murder to her and told her not to report it until Monday when he planned to kill himself. Evidence technicians found a female body in the freezer and red stains on the carpet

upstairs. They also located the pocket knife in a garbage bag outside. Shoffner said he took the victim’s Xanax pills, shot insulin into his stomach and slit his wrists in a failed attempt to kill himself immediately following the murder. He ended up passing out for a few days, then woke up and went to the hospital where he had stitches. He said he thought the victim was in the freezer for three or four days. He said he was having fun with the victim prior to killing

her, so he didn’t know why he did it. He admitted to drinking with the victim prior to the crime. His relative said he contacted her about the murder on Sunday afternoon. According to McClung Road residents Robert and Charlene Peals on Monday, Shoffner moved into Elder’s home after the death of her husband several months ago. They said Elder and Shoffner were boyfriend and girlfriend. See SHOFFNER, Page A2

Family: Fort La PlayPorte has safety concerns Jury selection delayed in Taylor trial By GABRIELLE GONZALEZ Staff writer (219) 326-3870 ggonzalez@heraldargus.com

La PORTE — A local resident has expressed concerns about the safety of playground equipment at Fort La PlayPorte in Kesling Park. La Porte resident Karen Donah said she has made numerous attempts to share her concerns with the city over safety hazards at the playground. Her daughter Kara Donah and 6-year-old granddaughter have specifically pointed out the suspended bridge in the middle of the playground as their major safety concern. “The playground is dangerous to our children. As a person walks or runs on the suspended bridge, the large bolts could easily snap off a toe,” said Donah. “There are also many nails and screws sticking out. If a person was shoved up or ended up against them, they could be injured.” Karen Donah said a maintenance worker did replace a missing chain at the facility this year. Parents who were with their children Monday as they played disagreed with the concerns. “I feel like this is the safest park in La Porte,” said Sarah Spitzmesser. “I feel really comfortable having my children play here. Parents can be a little too over protective about their children these days.” Spitzmesser has three children, ranging in age from 1 to 5 who all use various parts of the playground. She said other parks have needles, teenagers and places where her child could

fall over the top of a slide. Spitzmesser said the maintenance department keeps the playground nice and police sometimes patrol the area, making her feel safe about taking her kids there. The sign posted at the playground for safety issues has the La Porte Parks Department number listed. The Donah family said they have tried calling the number listed three times last summer and twice since May. Donah said they have received no response. She called and left another message Monday evening after noticing a toddler running barefoot on the equipment. “I think it will be more expensive to fight a lawsuit over an injured child than to fix the problems,” said Donah in a letter written Monday to La Porte City Mayor Blair Milo. “I can’t imagine why the city does not maintain the playground for the protection of the precious children who play there.” Milo, who said she had no prior knowledge of the telephone messages left, she said she replied back immediately that the city will do their best in addressing the concerns. “Safety is certainly a priority,” said Milo on Tuesday. She also contacted new Parks Department Supervisor Mark Schreiber on Tuesday morning and is looking to have the city maintenance department aware of the issues. She said the city maintenance department takes care of the playground facility at Kesling. The playground was community built in September 1999.

By KELLEY SMITH For The Herald-Argus

Photos by Gabrielle Gonzalez

Some La Porte residents are concerned about safety hazards at Fort La PlayPorte, including large bolts sticking out of the suspended bridge in the middle of the playground. La Porte Mayor Blair Milo said she contacted new Parks Department Supervisor Mark Schreiber on Tuesday morning and is looking to have the city maintenance aware of any issues.

Reliving the thrills – Community garden delayed by not and spills – of crushes meeting ADA accessibility standards A couple of weeks ago, three of my old pals flew into town. After a forgettable round of golf, we settled into a local watering hole where drinks, cigars and stories of our sordid pasts were passed around. We all agreed we were lucky to be alive, much less enjoying such good health and comfort in our twilight years. The sub- Blaine ject of what Heric we missed Greetings from most about the Pasture our youth was brought up. A consensus was

reached that high on the list of what our aging bodies missed most was being able to be competitive in sports. We all remembered ripping that rebound off the edge of the rim, racing down the floor on a fast break, running down a fly ball in center field and the over-theshoulder catch at full speed in a high school football game. Needless to say, the old lions were on a roll. As the exhausted bar maid served yet another round, I proclaimed a toast to what I missed the most. That being the euphoric, stupefying, knee-buckling See CRUSHES, Page A2

By MATT FRITZ

Staff writer 1-219-326-3887 mfritz@heraldargus.com

La PORTE — Issues with ADA accessibility has delayed the construction of a community garden in downtown La Porte. While some organizers are concerned the garden won’t be able to produce food for those in need this year, as originally planned, it is expected to be up and running by the spring of 2015. During a meeting of the La Porte City Council, Mo Meadows, one of the volunteers heading up the garden project, questioned La Porte Mayor Blair Milo about why the project has been

delayed, saying it was in the planning stages for about a year before she raised concerns regarding the garden meeting Americans With Disabilities Act standards and effectively stopped the project and negated any planting this year. Meadows noted that the dirt was in place and ready to go, and the city could have moved forward in a temporary capacity and worried about the ADA accessibility at a later time. ”It’s presently an asphalt parking lot,” he said. “I’m sure a temporary solution could have been found to help people in need this year.” In a previous interview, he

said organizers were hoping to use some of the fresh produce to supplement offerings at such places as the La Porte Salvation Army. But Milo said her concerns were brought up when the city first got involved, and said organizers have to work their utmost to make sure the project is done right. She explained that a public entity constructing a non-ADA compliant project could be opening itself up to lawsuits. On Tuesday, Dave Sisk, manager of community investment for the United Way, the organization heading up the project, said the See GARDEN, Page A3

MICHIGAN CITY — Jury selection in the case against 20-year-old murder suspect Brian Jordan “BJ” Taylor was delayed another day in order to allow prosecutors to respond to the judge’s Tuesday morning ruling that many of the state’s key witnesses are barred from testifying. J u d g e Kathleen Lang told Deputy Prosecutor Patricia Bishop Tuesday that her ofTAYLOR fice had until 3:30 p.m. the same afternoon to respond to the ruling in writing. At that time, the state submitted a motion for the judge to reconsider her ruling. The defense now has until 9 a.m. today to respond to the state’s motion; and the state has until 10:30 a.m. today to respond to the defense’s response. Lang will conduct a hearing on the motion to reconsider at 10:30 a.m. today in La Porte Superior Court No. 1.; and the pool of about 70 potential jurors will reconvene there at 1 p.m. The prosecution was dealt a major blow during a pretrial motions hearing Tuesday when Lang delivered a significant ruling on the defense’s motion to suppress much of the state’s evidence. The judge ruled that all witnesses who intend to invoke their Fifth See TAYLOR, Page A3

THURSDAY WEATHER HIGH LOW 87 70 THUNDERSTORMS

LA PORTE COUNTY HERALD-ARGUS

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Page

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Today in History

Rumely company plant is busy in all 1914: The its varied departments. city decides not to bid on the old 1964: The post office building and the mayor announces “city hall by January.”

Father’s Day plane crash injures a 1989: Afamily of five shortly after takeoff from the Michigan City Municipal Airport.

school smoking drops to its lowest 2004: High level in ten years.

— Courtesy of the La Porte County Public Library, UFS Features

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Contacts Correction policy: The Herald-Argus strives toward accuracy in all its stories and information. If you believe an error has been published, contact News Editor Kimberly King at (219) 326-3858 or kking@ heraldargus.com. Contact the H-A: Phone — (219) 362-2161 or (219) 926-3559 (Michigan City); Email — circulation@heraldargus.com, display@heraldargus. com, newsroom@heraldargus.com, classified@ heraldargus.com, business@heraldargus.com, Mail — 701 State St., La Porte, IN 46350; Fax: (219) 362-2166. Office hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday closed. Missed deliveries: Call (219) 326-4777 until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

THE LA PORTE COUNTY HERALD-ARGUS

(USPS 299-860) Vol. 127 No. 169

Published daily except Sundays and holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas at 701 State Street, La Porte, Indiana, 46350-3328 by La Porte County Herald-Argus. Periodical postage paid at La Porte, Indiana. Cost by single copy is $1 daily and $1.25 Saturdays. Home delivery by carrier is $15.50 for four weeks, by motor route is $17 for four weeks, and by mail, $35 per month. Attention Postmaster Please send address changes to: The La Porte County Herald-Argus 701 State Street La Porte, Indiana 46350 No mail subscriptions accepted in area where carrier service is maintained. To start a subscription: call 219-326-4777 Regular office hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Closed Saturdays Customer service telephone hours Weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Closed Saturdays Bill Hackney, Publisher Kimberly King, Managing Editor Brad Reisig, Advertising Manager Barry Whitman, Circulation Manager Jennifer Mann, Business Manager

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Remember when ... La Porte County Historical Society

Interlaken School, Rumely Hall Pine Lake Aveenue, circa 1908.

Obituaries

Kenneth E. Blevins

Cody Mittan

August 8, 1948-June 13, 2014 Kenneth E. Blevins, 65, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2014, at his home. He was born on August 8, 1948, in Foster, Ohio, to William and Opal (Zeller) Blevins. Ken joined the Army in 1966 where he served time in Vietnam before stationed in Germany. By 1969, Kenneth received Sgt. E-5 rank and was discharged honorably. Many of his friends remember Ken because of his love for grandfather clocks. He opened his business “House of Chimes” after retiring from Bethlehem Steel and contin-

May 5, 1990-June 13, 2014

ued to run his business for 10 years before his illness. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers William Estel, Gene, Sherman, Barney and Billy Blevins; and one sister Alma Johnson. Surviving are his three brothers Dean, Hubert Jr. and Richard Blevins; one sister Barbara Sconce; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at noon Friday, June 20, 2014, at the Chapel, Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. Memorial contributions may be directed to The American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Ronald Lee Patrick

Sept. 22, 1952-June 16, 2014 Ronald Lee Patrick, 61, of La Porte passed away peacefully at 2:45 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, at IU Health La Porte Hospital with his family by his side after a three-year battle with cancer. He was born on Sept. 22, 1952, in Knox, Indiana, to Matthew and Essie Patrick. After 22 years of service, he retired from Young Door. Ronald loved to fish and campPATRICK ing. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, his good friend Dennis Long and his little dog Smoke. On Jan. 15, 2000, in Salem Heights, he married Darlene (Harvey) Patrick who survives. Also surviving are eight children Ronnie Lee Patrick Jr.,

Racheal (Barney) Moyao, Michael (Bailee) Klement, Jeremy Klement, Jeana (Jonathan) Ortiz, Eric (Kaitlyn) Donahue, Chad (Wendy) Donahue and Tonya Avila; three brothers Pat, Aaron and Mitch Patrick; 21 grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; and many close nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Gorman, Ernest Patrick, Christine Patrick, Pauline Lovins, Melvin Patrick, Ray Patrick, Eugene Patrick and Beecher Patrick. A funeral celebrating his life will be at 3 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Road., La Porte, (219) 362-3100. Visitation and viewing will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. Please send condolences to the family at www. LakeviewFHC.com. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Cody Mittan, 24, of Three Oaks, passed away Friday, June 13, 2014, at his home. He was born May 5, 1990, to Vicky McCartey and Donald E. Mittan Jr. in Holland, Michigan. He is survived by his mother Vicky McCartey (Jay Asch); brother Casey (Jodi) Mittan; nieces Zoe Mittan and Cloe Mittan; and nephew Skylar Mittan. Cody was preceded in death by his father Donald E. Mittan Jr., who passed Jan. 7, 2014. MITTAN Funeral service for Cody will be at 3 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Visitation will be two hours prior from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Alf Djuvik

June 28, 1926-June 15, 2014 Alf Djuvik, 87, of Long Beach, Indiana, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 15, 2014 Father’s Day. Alf was born in Bergen, Norway on June 28, 1926. Alf was beloved husband to: Barbara; devoted father to: Lars (Allison) Djuvik of Kenilworth, Illinois, Erinn (George) ConDJUVIK nelly of Long Beach, Peter Djuvik of Chicago, Patrick (Chris Connolly) Djuvik of Hyannisport, Massachusetts, Linda Djuvik of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Evelyn Miller of San Francisco, California; and loving grandfather to: Grace, William, Patrick, Alf Henrik and Eva. Alf came to the U.S. in 1953 to study in New York City. He worked globally for many years and retired from Jaymar Ruby in Michigan City. Alf was past president of Lions Club and Sons of Norway. He was active in the Norwegian Gardens at International Friendship Gardens. Alf intro-

duced soccer and cross country skiing to the area, but his true passion was cross country skiing. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Geisen-Carlisle Funeral Home, 613 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana. Lions Club Service will take place at 7 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be said on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at Geisen-Carlisle Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 818 Franklin St. Michigan City, Indiana, with Pastor Mark Reshan of St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Michigan City, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station PO Box 4777, New York, NY, 10163 or International Friendship Gardens 2055 U.S. 12, Michigan City, IN 46360. To sign guestbook or leave condolences, please visit www.Carlislefh.com (219) 874-4214.

Harvey Koepke Jr.

April 4, 1947-June 16, 2014 Harvey R. “Bud” Koepke Jr., 67, of Michigan City, Indiana, passed away at 6:05 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, in The Arbors of Michigan City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2014, at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, with Dr. Lance Hilberg officiating. Private burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel. He was born April 4, 1947, in Michigan KOEPKE City to the late Harvey R. and Nettie (Richmond) Koepke Sr.

Surviving are a brother Dale (Susan) Koepke of Michigan City; sister Susan (Bob) Stolz of Warsaw, Indiana; two uncles Jim (Judy) Richmond of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, and Levi Richmond of Arizona; several nieces and nephews; and his longtime friend and companion Janice White of The Pines, Indiana. Bud retired as a maintenance man from the Westville

Correctional Facility. He enjoyed boating, fishing, a variety of music and was always ready for a good time. Bud liked going to the boat show, car shows and always had a joke or two. Contributions may be made to the family of Harvey Koepke Jr. To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online, visit our website at www. otthaverstock.com.

said cases like this one made him wonder where society was From Page A1 heading. “Each case has its own thing Elder’s age was estimated at where you look at it and scratch about 70 years by the coroner. your head as to, ‘Why?’” he La Porte County Prosecut- said. “With the lack of my hair, ing Attorney Robert Szilagyi I’ve scratched my head quite a

bit.” According to La Porte County Coroner John Sullivan, Elder’s body won’t be thawed enough for an autopsy until Thursday at the earliest. He said the doctor performing the autopsy will be traveling to La Porte to do the

work. Szilagyi said Shoffner faces between 45 to 65 years in prison if convicted, with a recommended sentence of 55 years. No bond was given.

soxer with the most beautiful ponytail (remember them) I had ever seen. One look at her and I was immediately reduced to Silly Putty. Unlike Shirley Temple, this Venus in blue jeans encouraged my bumbling advances. She even gave me my first kiss during a rousing game of spinthe-bottle. Before I could pursue this budding romance any further, her family up and moved to Kentucky. Ah well, so much for middle school flirtations. The granddaddy of all my crushes happened during my sophomore year in high school. I was a sucker for the wholesome, girl-next-door beauty and this one had it in spades. I first laid eyes on her at a YMCA dance. She was a blonde knockout with a smile and eyes that could intoxicate your soul. At first she would have nothing to do with me. After all, I

had a reputation among the girls who were brave enough to date me as an octopus on steroids. It took persistence on my part, but eventually we went out. On our dates, I was mentally constipated, said all the wrong things and was never myself. On her doorstep, two dates later, she hit me with the universally dreaded words, “Let’s be friends.” I would have rather heard St. Peter say, “Sorry, pal, it’s off to Hell with you.” I managed to repair my wounded ego and swore not to fall victim to this nonsense ever again. Then KABOOOOM!!! The thunderbolt struck once more. This time in the form of an angelic brunette who worked at the Lido theatre. Her job was taking tickets and minding the concession stand. I would go to every cheesy horror flick just to hold hands with her in the dark during her 15-minute break. I remember walking her home

from school, sneaking into a St. Mary’s Halloween dance just to be with her and meeting up a few times at Teen Town. Our days were numbered. It didn’t take long for my awful reputation to get back to her mom, who promptly went berserk. That certainly didn’t help our relationship but the real killer was that she had a boyfriend in the Air Force. So, once again, I heard that dreadful refrain, “Let’s be friends.” There were others but, of course, they didn’t work out. In my early 20s, I had a prolonged relationship that also went kaput. I guess I wasn’t very good in the romance department but fate works in wondrous ways. I’m certain that all those angels of my youth found happiness and, as for me, my soul-mate was awaiting me in San Francisco.

SHOFFNER

CRUSHES

From Page A1 madness better known as a CRUSH! I invite you to reflect on some of yours while I share with you some of mine. Crushes can happen as early as grade school. For instance, when I was in third grade, there was a Shirley Temple look-alike that reduced me to a stammering idiot whenever I was in her presence. On Valentine’s Day, I mustered all my courage and even wore my trusty Davy Crockett coon-skin hat to present to my beloved a heart-shaped box of chocolates. As I was beaming my boyish, goofy grin, the box of chocolates was hurled at my feet as she screamed and ran away. Thus, ending my trip on the Good Ship Lollipop. When I was 11 or 12, I was smitten by a bright-eyed bobby-

Follow Matt Fritz on Twitter @ matt_fritzHA.

Heric can be reached at kingsif@ comcast.net.