A man in Indiana was taken into custody on Friday after evading authorities for more than 20 years in connection with a double homicide dating back to 2006. Michael Jerome James, now 35, was arrested at his home in Shelbyville by officers from Franklin and Shelby County, assisted by an FBI agent.
The charges stem from the deaths of Chynna Dickus, 26, and her stepson, Blake Dickus, 10, who were found stabbed in their residence in Franklin, Indiana, in July 2006. At the time of the killings, James would have been approximately 14 years old.
Despite his age during the incident, Johnson County prosecutor Lance Hamner confirmed that James will face trial as an adult. He is currently indicted on two counts of murder. Authorities have not publicly revealed the details of the evidence implicating James in the case.
Neighbors expressed surprise at the arrest, with one individual, Dale Fornett, noting James’s presence at the Shelbyville location during the apprehension.
The case had remained unsolved for two decades, during which James had reportedly been on the run. Law enforcement officials coordinated across multiple jurisdictions to effect the recent arrest. Further proceedings will determine the course of the trial and any additional charges.