Theft trial reset

BROWNSTOWN - The trial of a man accused of stealing $43,318 from Seymour Main Street Inc. between 2002 and 2005 has been delayed to 8:30 a.m. Sept. 4.

Where that trial will take place is yet to be determined.

David Edward Anderson, 50, had been set to stand trial Tuesday, but his attorney, Brad Johnson, sought and received a continuance April 22.

And on April 30, Johnson filed a change of venue request, contending the case received "adverse publicity in the media" this winter when Jackson Circuit Judge Bill Vance rejected a plea agreement between Anderson and Prosecutor Rick Poynter.

Vance approved the request that day, but Johnson and Poynter have yet to decide where the case will be moved.

It will be from one of the surrounding counties - Bartholomew, Brown, Jennings, Lawrence, Monroe, Scott or Washington. The attorneys will strike counties, one at a time, with Johnson striking first, until only one remains.

The plea agreement Vance rejected Jan. 22  would have had Anderson plead guilty to one count of theft in exchange for not serving any jail time and for treating the charge as a misdemeanor. Anderson also had agreed to repay Main Street $40,218.

According to a civil lawsuit filed against Anderson by Seymour Main Street Inc., the 50-year-old wrote checks totaling $43,318 to himself, Anderson Associates and cash while he was treasurer of that organization from April 2001 to December 2005. Police were alerted to the missing money by board members.

Anderson was arrested in February 2006 on 15 counts of theft.