Indiana Man Charged in 2006 Double Murder After Decades-Long Legal Hurdle
A change in state law finally allowed prosecutors to bring charges against a suspect in the killings of a 10-year-old boy and his stepmother.
Michael Jerome James, now 35, has been charged with four counts of murder in connection with the July 24, 2006, deaths of 10-year-old Blake Dickus and his 26-year-old stepmother, Chynna Dickus. Prosecutors allege James killed the two while burglarizing or attempting to burglarize their Franklin, Indiana, home.
For years, authorities identified James as a suspect but were prevented from bringing charges due to a gap in Indiana's juvenile jurisdiction law. Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner explained that because James was allegedly 14 at the time of the murders and was not charged as a juvenile, an adult court could not legally hear the case under the historical interpretation of state law. This created a situation where a juvenile offender who aged out of the system could not be prosecuted.
"That leaves a gap because this person is alleged to have committed a crime when he was 14, was not charged in juvenile court, and now that he's over the age of 18 could not be charged in adult court because of the way that law was written," Hamner told Fox News Digital.
A Shift in Legislation
The law changed in 2023, creating a new pathway for adult courts to handle certain cases involving alleged juvenile offenders. However, this statute faced legal challenges, and its application was rejected in a child molestation case by the Indiana Court of Appeals and subsequently the Indiana Supreme Court. Hamner stated that this setback led prosecutors to work with lawmakers to draft a new statute.
In 2025, the Indiana legislature passed a revised law that addressed the concerns raised by the Supreme Court. Hamner believes this latest statute provides the necessary legal mechanism to charge James and is more likely to withstand legal challenges.
Despite the new legislation, defense attorney Mike Cunningham has expressed skepticism, telling Fox 59 News that he believes current law does not permit charging James as an adult for crimes committed before the 2023 legal changes. The ultimate decision on jurisdiction could hinge on arguments made by James' defense attorney.
The Investigation and Family's Wait
Blake and Chynna Dickus were found stabbed to death in their home. Blake also sustained blunt-force injuries and showed signs of smothering, with severe injuries to his hands, suggesting he fought back against his attacker. For nearly two decades, investigators pursued leads, including break-ins in the vicinity of the Dickus residence and questioned construction workers in the area, but were unable to identify a suspect.
The Dickus family endured years of unanswered questions. Blake's father, Sean Dickus, who discovered the bodies, faced public suspicion despite being cleared by investigators. He described the family's suffering as torture.
Prosecutor Hamner, who first served as prosecutor when the murders occurred and later as a judge, cited the potential for progress in the Dickus case as a significant factor in his decision to run for prosecutor again. He expressed a desire to work on the case that had "languished" for years.
Next Steps
Authorities have revealed little about the specific forensic evidence that ultimately linked James to the killings, only stating that he is the first lead in the investigation supported by such evidence. James is currently held without bond at the Johnson County Jail. A pretrial conference is scheduled for December 10.