SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) _ A 19-year-old man charged with murder in a shooting that killed a 2-year-old South Bend boy is scheduled to go on trial in August.
St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward Miller on Wednesday set an Aug. 18 trial date for Robert Griffin, who is charged with murder and attempted murder. Authorities say 2-year-old John Swoveland Jr. was killed April 9 when he was struck by a stray bullet from a gunfight between two rival gangs several blocks away.
Nineteen-year-old Tarez Buchanon also is charged with murder and attempted murder in Swoveland's death. Judge Jerome Frese on Wednesday set a status hearing for Buchanon for June 17.
Six others are charged with assisting a criminal in the shooting, including a 15-year-old who also is charged with aiding in murder.
