CROWN POINT — A Hammond man told a judge Tuesday that he would like a bench trial instead of jury trial to decide whether or not he is guilty of hogtying his co-worker, beating him with a golf club and baseball bat, strangling him and kicking him down a flight of stairs in November 2022.
Aric Fulton, 51, appeared before Lake Criminal Court Judge Gina Jones with his attorney Jose Vega. Vega said he informed Fulton of the benefits and drawbacks of a bench trial and Fulton still chooses the bench trial over a jury trial.
Jones ordered the bench trial be set for Aug. 5. Fulton's jury trial had been set for April 29.
A bench trial is conducted in front of a judge, whereas a jury trial is held before a panel of 12 ordinary citizens. The judge makes the sole decision on the defendant's guilt in a bench trial, whereas the 12 jurors must render a unanimous verdict in a jury trial.
Fulton was charged and arrested with attempted murder, robbery, confinement, strangulation and numerous battery charges after the victim called police and said he had been at a birthday party for his colleague, Fulton, on Nov. 22, 2022 on Warren Street in Hammond when Fulton assaulted him.
The two were in a room playing pool and Fulton locked the door with a deadbolt, according to information in a probable-cause affidavit. He appeared intoxicated at the time.
Fulton accused the victim of stealing the deadbolt key and pointed a gun at him. The victim went to hide behind the pool table, then heard a shot and felt his foot go numb, the affidavit said. Fulton walked behind the table, struck him with the gun, and made him roll over on his stomach and spread his legs.
Fulton supposedly told the man he is the "Black Jeffrey Dahmer" and proceeded to hogtie the victim with an extension cord. He forced him to take off his clothes to prove he did not have the deadbolt key, according to the document.
Fulton then beat the man with a golf club in the head, thighs and arms. He also hit him with a bat and choked him unconscious.
He eventually allowed the victim to leave wearing only his boxers and socks. The man managed to get in his vehicle, drive to his home in Lansing and call police.
Fulton's will appear in court next on June 14.
Justin Paris plants a pinwheel outside of the Lake County Juvenile Court facility during Friday's CASA's Pinwheels for Prevention Day observance.
Raymond “Tony” Craven was told by the U.S. Army to not wear his uniform when he returned to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1968.
“There was good reason for that at the time,” he said. “People weren’t very nice although no one had a right to call me names or spit on me or anything. That just shouldn’t have happened. It still bothers me all these years later.”
“I’m not ashamed of anything that me and those other soldiers did in Vietnam. I’m NOT,” Raymond Craven said with conviction. “But I still don’t talk about it much.”
The Jamno is the first ship of the season to arrive at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. Port Director Ryan McCoy, right, presents the ship's captain Buczek Darusz with a commemorative steel stein.
Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch highlighted accomplishments during her first 100 days in office in her state of the city address delivered Wednesday.
South Shore train service has returned to Miller thanks to its new station. Miller resident Carole Barnes waits Tuesday for a westbound train to Chicago.
Edgewater Health CEO Danita Johnson-Woods speaks Tuesday about My Brother's Keeper, a new initiative designed to fill an opportunity gap for young men and boys of color, at a news conference at the Purdue Extension Building, 2291 N. Main St. in Crown Point.
Ben Blair, 9, of LaPorte looks at the solar eclipse through protective glasses at Luhr Park Nature Center. LaPorte County Public Library staff members led activities including decorating personal protective glasses.
Deryl McKissack challenged those in the audience filled with business leaders to think about economic civility and do their part in making the future better and more equitable for minorities.
Despite temps in the 40s, a Cubs fan removes his shirt during the Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 5. Alcohol may have been involved in his decision.
Check out the Times' picks for the best images from the past week.
Justin Paris plants a pinwheel outside of the Lake County Juvenile Court facility during Friday's CASA's Pinwheels for Prevention Day observance.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Al Royal plants pinwheels outside of the Lake County Juvenile Court facility during Friday's CASA's Pinwheels for Prevention Day observance.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Raymond “Tony” Craven was told by the U.S. Army to not wear his uniform when he returned to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1968.
“There was good reason for that at the time,” he said. “People weren’t very nice although no one had a right to call me names or spit on me or anything. That just shouldn’t have happened. It still bothers me all these years later.”
John J. Watkins, The Times
“I’m not ashamed of anything that me and those other soldiers did in Vietnam. I’m NOT,” Raymond Craven said with conviction. “But I still don’t talk about it much.”
John J. Watkins, The Times
The Jamno is the first ship of the season to arrive at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. This is a view of the bridge.
John J. Watkins, The Times
The Jamno is the first ship of the season to arrive at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. Port Director Ryan McCoy, right, presents the ship's captain Buczek Darusz with a commemorative steel stein.
John J. Watkins, The Times
The Jamno is the first ship of the season to arrive at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor.
John J. Watkins, The Times
The historic 1933 Chicago World’s Fair “House of Tomorrow” is about to be renovated.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Marsh Davis, President of Indiana Landmarks, speaks during a press conference inside the historic 1933 Chicago World’s Fair “House of Tomorrow."
John J. Watkins, The Times
Marsh Davis, president of Indiana Landmarks, speaks Thursday about restoration efforts at the historic 1933 Chicago World’s Fair House of Tomorrow.
John J. Watkins, The Times
This is a peak outside one of the rooms inside the historic 1933 Chicago World’s Fair “House of Tomorrow.”
John J. Watkins, The Times
Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch talked about her goals for Michigan City during her state of the city address Wednesday.
John J. Watkins, The Times
With municipal department heads behind her, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch delivers her first state of the city address.
John J. Watkins
Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch highlighted accomplishments during her first 100 days in office in her state of the city address delivered Wednesday.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Students place luminaries on the West Lawn Tuesday as Valparaiso University celebrates Valpo Day.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Major Gifts Officer Kasie Tenbarge takes a selfie with Blaze, left, and Beacon Tuesday as Valparaiso University celebrates Valpo Day.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Noah Lang and Erin Murphy place luminaries on the West Lawn Tuesday as Valparaiso University celebrates Valpo Day.
John J. Watkins, The Times
South Shore train service has returned to Miller thanks to its new station. Miller resident Carole Barnes waits Tuesday for a westbound train to Chicago.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Returning from his eclipse trek in Indianapolis, George Mavrelis waits to board the South Shore back home to Chicago on Tuesday.
John J. Watkins, The Times
1:47pm - Eclipse Monday at Indiana University Northwest's eclipse viewing party.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Ju Park and William Radell take a practice peak at the sun Monday at Indiana University Northwest's eclipse viewing party.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Gavina Johnson and her family watch the partial eclipse Monday at Indiana University Northwest's eclipse viewing party.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Some visitors played Blasterball before the start of the eclipse Monday at Indiana University Northwest's eclipse viewing party.
John J. Watkins, The Times
2:08pm - Eclipse Monday at Indiana University Northwest's eclipse viewing party. This is as good as it got in Northwest Indiana.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Edgewater Health CEO Danita Johnson-Woods speaks Tuesday about My Brother's Keeper, a new initiative designed to fill an opportunity gap for young men and boys of color, at a news conference at the Purdue Extension Building, 2291 N. Main St. in Crown Point.
Lizzie Kaboski, The Times
Kristina Byers speaking to students at Purdue University Northwest on Tuesday.
Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz, The Times
The Lake Central School Board interviewing, from left to right: Joe Banasiak, Mary Kate Mikulskis and Louise Tallent for the open board seat.
Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz, The Times
A firefighter taking a break watches flames consume a home Thursday outside LaPorte.
Stan Maddux, The Times
Ben Blair, 9, of LaPorte looks at the solar eclipse through protective glasses at Luhr Park Nature Center. LaPorte County Public Library staff members led activities including decorating personal protective glasses.
Stan Maddux, The Times
Trisha Heitz and her sons, Keegan, 6, and Richard, 10, watch the solar eclipse Monday afternoon at Luhr Park Nature Center near Kingsbury.
Stan Maddux, The Times
Deryl McKissack challenged those in the audience filled with business leaders to think about economic civility and do their part in making the future better and more equitable for minorities.
Deborah Laverty, The Times
A Cubs fan unveils his "W" banner after the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 5.
Jerry Davich, The Times
Despite temps in the 40s, a Cubs fan removes his shirt during the Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 5. Alcohol may have been involved in his decision.