03-04-2025
State wants Boards trial moved to Anderson City Court
ANDERSON — The Madison County Prosecutor's Office is seeking to move the murder trial of Carl Roy Webb Boards II to the Anderson City Court.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna filed the motion to move the trial from the Madison County Government Center to the Anderson City Court, stating it would cause fewer problems than having the trial in Madison Circuit Court Division 3.
Madison County Sheriff John Beeman has expressed a preference for moving the trial.
Boards is charged with the July 2022 shooting death of Elwood police officer Noah Shahnavaz.
In the motion, Hanna noted the trial could take three to six weeks.
The motion states seating in the Anderson City Court is approximately 120 for members of the public, compared to 38 in the courtroom.
Hanna's motion also states there are three secure holding cells at the city court and none in the courthouse.
He said the Anderson City Court would be able to accommodate the number of lawyers involved in the case and provide additional room for the necessary court proceedings.
Hanna believes there will be more than two alternate jurors selected for the trial and that the jury box in the circuit court can only seat 14 people, while the city court jury box could be arranged for more than that number.
Anderson City Court Judge Jason Jamerson has already agreed to the use of his courtroom and Anderson Police Chief Mike Lee said his department will provide any necessary support during the trial.
'Approximately 150 people work in the Madison County Government Center on a daily basis,' the motion states. 'As evidenced by procedures utilized at pre-trial hearings in this cause, both courthouse staff and the general public are temporarily restricted from moving in the Madison County Government Center when the defendant is being transported.'
On July 31, 2022, Shahnavaz stopped a 2012 Buick LaCrosse near the intersection of Indiana 37 and County Road 1100 North. Police have not provided a reason for the traffic stop.
Officers from Elwood and Madison County found the wounded Shahnavaz and administered life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived.
Shahnavaz was taken by ambulance to Ascension St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood and later flown by helicopter to an Indianapolis-area hospital, where he died.
Just after 2:30 a.m., Hamilton County officers located the Buick and attempted a traffic stop. The Buick continued southbound on Indiana 37. Hamilton County sheriff's deputies pursued the Buick and deployed a tire-deflation device near the area of Indiana 37 and 146th Street.
Officers took Boards into custody without further incident.
