Michael Jerome James arrested for the murder of Chinna and Blake Dickus
8 october 2026 в 04:02
A man was arrested 20 years after he allegedly killed a woman and her stepson when he was just 14 years old. On July 24, 2006, Chinna Dickus was fatally stabbed, and her 10-year-old stepson Blake Dickus was killed in their home in Franklin, Indiana.
Following the murders, authorities and the victims' loved ones placed billboards and posters, and offered a reward of $ 25,000 for any information that could lead to an arrest. According to WXIN, the search for the killer continued, and in September the reward was increased to $ 100,000.
More than two decades later, on October 2, a breakthrough in the case occurred: Michael Jerome James was arrested after his indictment was approved by a grand jury in Johnson County. Franklin police confirmed James’s arrest on October 5, noting that it was a significant event in a case that deeply affected the community. The statement also emphasized that no arrest can bring back the loss suffered by the Dickus family and all who knew and loved Chinna and Blake.
James, now 35 years old, is charged with murder as an adult, although he was 14 at the time of the crime. It is currently unclear whether he knew the victims prior to the murders or had a motive. Initially, authorities believed the murders occurred during a robbery. According to WXIN, James lived in Franklin for more than ten years after the alleged murders, and in the last three years moved to nearby Shelbyville.
After the arrest, Blake’s biological mother, Christina Smith, told WTHR that James had been the subject of a detective investigation for at least five years. She noted that the investigation has scientific evidence of his presence in the home. Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner informed WXIN that James is scheduled to appear in court on October 9. It is currently unclear whether he has entered a plea, and an attorney was not immediately available for comment.
Following the murders, authorities and the victims' loved ones placed billboards and posters, and offered a reward of $ 25,000 for any information that could lead to an arrest. According to WXIN, the search for the killer continued, and in September the reward was increased to $ 100,000.
More than two decades later, on October 2, a breakthrough in the case occurred: Michael Jerome James was arrested after his indictment was approved by a grand jury in Johnson County. Franklin police confirmed James’s arrest on October 5, noting that it was a significant event in a case that deeply affected the community. The statement also emphasized that no arrest can bring back the loss suffered by the Dickus family and all who knew and loved Chinna and Blake.
James, now 35 years old, is charged with murder as an adult, although he was 14 at the time of the crime. It is currently unclear whether he knew the victims prior to the murders or had a motive. Initially, authorities believed the murders occurred during a robbery. According to WXIN, James lived in Franklin for more than ten years after the alleged murders, and in the last three years moved to nearby Shelbyville.
After the arrest, Blake’s biological mother, Christina Smith, told WTHR that James had been the subject of a detective investigation for at least five years. She noted that the investigation has scientific evidence of his presence in the home. Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner informed WXIN that James is scheduled to appear in court on October 9. It is currently unclear whether he has entered a plea, and an attorney was not immediately available for comment.
© Artemenko Olga
