(TIPPECANOE COUNTY) - A special judge has been appointed to oversee cases in Tippecanoe County following the shooting of a county judge and his wife earlier this month, according to the Indiana Supreme Court.
In a news release, Indiana Courts officials said Chief Justice Loretta Rush is expected to sign an order appointing Cass County Superior Court 2 Judge Lisa Swaim to handle the Tippecanoe County cases related to the incident.
The appointment follows a request to the Indiana Supreme Court for a special judge after Tippecanoe County Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly, were shot and wounded at their home in Lafayette. The shooting occurred earlier this month in the 1700 block of Mill Pond Lane.
Five people have been criminally charged in connection with the shooting. They are: Raylen Ferguson, Thomas Moss, Blake Smith, Amanda Milsap, and Zenada Greer. Court records indicate the defendants are accused of varying levels of involvement, with one suspect alleged to have carried out the shooting.
Previous court documents revealed that Judge Meyer was scheduled to preside over an upcoming trial involving what authorities described as a "high-ranking" gang member in Tippecanoe County.
Indiana Courts officials said the Judicial Code of Conduct prevents Judge Swaim from commenting on the case.
In addition, the Indiana Supreme Court approved the assignment of a senior or pro tempore judge to handle other matters in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2, where Judge Meyer normally presides.