There are four motions hearings in Indiana County Court today, including one for Joseph Michael Popovich, the 21-year-old Homer City man charged with homicide by vehicle in the death of 16-year-old Kai Hrabovsky of Homer City last year. He’s also charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and related offenses.
Popovich’s attorney filed the omnibus pretrial motion for relief in February. That could cover a wide array of considerations, including suppression of evidence. Investigators say Hrabovsky was struck by Popovich’s Jeep while walking alongside Mount Zion Road at about 3:35 AM last May 14th in Pine Township. No trial date has been set. Popovich is scheduled from Criminal Call on June 2nd.
Other motions hearings scheduled today include omnibus pretrial motions for:
- 31-year-old Timmy Betts Jr. of Robinson, who is charged with forcible rape and related offenses for an incident in April of last year. A woman reported that Betts forced her to have relations with him despite her protests, and she recorded the audio from it on her cellphone. She called 911 after Betts fell asleep and went to IRMC for treatment several hours later.
- 23-year-old Jacob Louden of Pittsburgh, who is charged with aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault. Indiana Borough police reported that Louden had violated a woman last November 12th while he was intoxicated. He told police he did not remember what happened at the home along South Seventh Street.
- Another motions hearing is scheduled for 21-year-old Mason Jackson of New Brighton, who is charged in the armed robbery and assault of two men at an apartment on South 8thStreet in Indiana in October 2015. Jackson is accused of being one of three men who had guns and pistol-whipped the victims. His motion challenges his identification as one of the suspects. One of the victims chose him from a social media photo showing another suspect with a group of friends.
Today’s hearings are all before Judge Thomas Bianco, with the court day starting at 8:30 AM.
