Man gets 3 decades behind bars for role in 2010 Lafayette murder

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A Putnam County man has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for his part in a 2010 Lafayette murder.

In a sentence hearing Friday afternoon, 30-year-old Jeremiah Thompson was given 33 years behind bars and 2 years of supervised probation.

In January Thompson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit burglary for his part in the April 2010 shooting of 21-year-old Kory Rogers.

As part of the plea deal, seven other charges, including murder, were dropped.

He was facing anywhere from 20 to 35 years behind bars.

"He was realistic enough to know that he wouldn't get 20. He was hopeful that he wouldn't get the 33, as he did. But the number 25 was his own number that he came up with, recognizing that were aggravating circumstances that the court was going to hold against him," said John Commons, Thompson's attorney.

Thompson's criminal history was brought up against him. His list of previous crimes includes theft, possession of marijuana, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

On Friday, Thompson addressed the Rogers family. He told them he was sorry and that he hopes they can accept his apology.

"One of the important aspects of it, I believe, was in his own words, he wasn't making any excuses," said Commons.

Rogers' mother also spoke. She told Thompson this will not be his only judgment day. She said when the next judgment day comes, he will not have a plea agreement to hide behind.

She said she wanted this terrible part of her family's lives to end with this final sentencing.

"They want a finality. They wanted to end this chapter in their life. And with this sentence, this defendant cannot appeal so his case has truly ended," said Pat Harrington, Tippecanoe County Prosecutor.

Harrington said after working on the case for 34 months, it's time for closure.

Last summer Edward Zaragoza was sentenced to 120 years in prison for his role in the murder.

Thompson went to trial in August, but it ended in a hung jury.

Thompson has already served more than 700 days in prison for the 2010 crime. Prosecutors said that will go toward his sentencing.