Two Worthington men, accused of breaking into a home in July and drinking the alleged victim’s beer, were arrested then charged with felonies. But as the cases inched closer to conclusions, the alleged victim waffled on the story and balked at pressing charges. This week, Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw made the decision to completely dismiss both cases.

Joe James Turpin, 25, and Timothy Frederick Coleman, 29, both of Worthington, were both arrested and booked in to the Greene County Jail very early on Saturday, July 7.

The two were accused of burglarizing a home on Crist Street in Worthington on Friday, July 6. A Worthington police officer was dispatched, investigated, located the suspects and had them both in custody in short order. The two allegedly broke a storm door window, unlatched a lock and went in, stole some beer from the fridge then ran away.

They were both charged with burglary of a dwelling - a Level 4 felony, theft - a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal mischief - a Class B misdemeanor.

Their bond was set at $16,500 surety with ten percent cash allowed. They both posted $1,650 cash to bond out, one pretty quick, the other awhile later.

One defendant was represented by a public defender, the other retained a defense attorney. One case appeared to be headed toward a negotiated plea agreement, the other appeared to be headed toward a jury trial.

At some point, something changed, and this past Monday, September 10, Prosecutor Holtsclaw filed a motion to dismiss in both cases in Greene Circuit Court.

The motions state the reason to dismiss was because the State had recently received evidence from the alleged victim in these cases, and that “… fairness dictates that the case no longer be prosecuted.”

When reached for clarification on Wednesday, Holtsclaw provided background to confirm the police department handled the investigation properly as did the prosecutor’s office. But new information was received indicating the alleged victim did not want to proceed and their story about the circumstances surrounding the break-in had changed. Dismissing both cases was the right thing to do.

Circuit Court Judge Erik Allen approved both motions and released the cash the two defendants had posted for bond.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.