By Herald Staff

Andry

JASPER — The bench trial for Sarah K. Andry, the second defendant charged in the murder of Darin Atkins, wrapped up in Dubois Circuit Court Friday.

Judge Nathan Verkamp has taken all the information presented over the last four days under advisement to deliberate on the matter.

Andry, of Eckerty, is charged with murder and aggravated battery. She was originally charged with aiding, inducing or causing murder.

Another defendant, Jason Atkins of Birdseye, pleaded guilty to murder in October 2019 and was sentenced to 45 years. As part of his plea agreement, a felony count of aggravated battery was dismissed.

Dubois County Sheriff's Office deputies found Darin Atkins deceased in his home north of Birdseye in July 2017. Preliminary findings from the Dubois County Coroner’s Office’s autopsy indicated the cause of death was a closed head injury by a large, blunt object. After a lengthy investigation, Andry and Jason Atkins were arrested in June 2018.

Andry's trial was to have been a jury trial, but that was canceled Monday. A bench trial in the case started Tuesday.