Saturday, July 03, 1999
Husband arraigned in killing
Man found hiding after police chase
BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
VERSAILLES, Ind. — A day after his wife was fatally shot alongside a Ripley County road, 42-year-old Mark S. Pickens was arraigned Friday afternoon after being charged with her death. The Columbus, Ind., man pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond on a charge of murder. Police would not say where Mr. Pickens and his wife, Patricia, 42, were heading Thursday afternoon. But authorities know where they wound up.
Mrs. Pickens was found dead by gunshot at about 1 p.m. along U.S. 421, about one mile south of Napoleon.
Police were called by passing motorists who spotted the body and saw a car thought to be Mr. Pickens' pulling away, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Dennis LeBlanc.
Mr. Pickens was spotted by off-duty state police probationary officer Christopher Pratt at about 6 p.m. on I-74 near Greensburg. Officer Pratt followed him until a Shelbyville Police squad arrived to make the arrest.
Mr. Pickens then led them on a chase into a cornfield, where he jumped out of his car and fled on foot.
After a four-hour manhunt punctuated by thunderstorms, Mr. Pickens was found hiding under a bridge along Ind. 9, just north of I-74 in Shelby County. He was arrested without incident, Sgt. LeBlanc said.
The couple had previous contact with authorities in Bartholomew County, where they lived, according to Sheriff Kenneth Whipker.
Mr. Pickens obtained an order of protection against his wife on May 21. Nine days later, he was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, Chief Whipker said. Police were not sure whether the couple were still living together in the home Mr. Pickens occupied on Ind. 46, about 5 miles east of Columbus. He was employed by Dolly Madison in Columbus. Acquaintances said the Pick enses were getting a divorce, according to Sgt. LeBlanc.
If convicted of murder, Mr. Pickens could receive a sentence of 55 years in prison — give or take 10 years if mitigating or aggravating circumstances are found.
Prosecutors also could choose to seek the death penalty.
This is the first slaying in Ripley County this year, authorities say.
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