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Indiana State Police-Jasper District 34-Jasper, IN
Wednesday March 22nd, 2017 :: 09:26 a.m. EDT

Community

Three Week Death Investigation Closes with Tell City Man Jailed for Murder

Perry County:  A three week long death investigation closed out Monday evening after investigators arrested a Tell City man on murder charges.
 
On March 4, 2017, the Perry County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the Indiana State Police with the investigation into the death of 62-year-old David Weedman of Saint Croix. Initial reports to police indicated that Weedman died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home; however, law enforcement fully investigated the death as suspicious.
 
An autopsy conducted on March 7 in Tell City revealed that the fatal wound sustained by Weedman was not consistent with a self-inflicted wound.  State Police investigators continued to pursue the investigation as a murder investigation.
 
Over the course of the next two weeks, the investigation led detectives to investigate 45-year-old Randal L. Coalter of Tell City.  Investigators learned that Weedman and Coalter had become involved in a physical altercation on March 1st in Weedman’s home.  March 1st was the last time Weedman was seen alive.
 
Detectives presented enough evidence within a probable cause affidavit to obtain an arrest warrant for Coalter.  Coalter was arrested without incident March 21st and was lodged in the Perry County Security Center.
 
Indiana State Police detectives were assisted throughout the case by the Perry County Sheriff’s Department and the Tell City Police Department.
 
Arrested and Charges:
Randal L. Coalter, 45
Tell City, IN
- Murder, Level 1 Felony
 
* Attached photograph is the booking photograph of Coalter.
 
-30-
HENSLEY
 
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

Address/Location
Indiana State Police-Jasper District 34-Jasper, IN
2209 Newton St
Jasper, IN 47546

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 812-482-1441

Sergeant Philip Hensley
Public Information Office
[email protected]
812-631-1363

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