Published: July 10, 2008 11:46 am         

Charges in shooting expected today

Investigation of weekend incident involving representative’s son continues, police say.

The special prosecutor handling the shooting incident allegedly involving the son of a state representative expects to file charges today.

Following a probable cause hearing Wednesday, Howard County deputy prosecutor Ron Byal confirmed that he would pursue charges against Jeff McClain, son of State Rep. Rich McClain. Byal declined to reveal what the charges would be prior to making them official.

The shooting reportedly occurred in the early morning hours Saturday at the residence of Jeff and Lisa McClain, 2200 S. Ridgeview Road in Ridgeview Estates west of Logansport near Georgetown.

According to police, Shawn D. Campbell sustained a gunshot wound to the foot.

Detective Brad Sommers of Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the lead investigator in the case, testified at the probable cause hearing in Judge Rick Maughmer’s Cass Superior Court II. In an interview after the hearing, Sommers said McClain and Campbell, who are neighbors, had both attended a small party at the residence of John Engle at 2280 S. Ridgeview Road, where an altercation between the two reportedly took place.

The shooting occurred at the McClain residence after both had left the party, Sommers said. Alcohol was involved, the investigator said.

Campbell was taken to Logansport Memorial Hospital and later transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. His condition was not available.

McClain, Campbell and persons at the party have been interviewed. The investigation is ongoing.

Earlier this week, Cass County Prosecutor Kevin Enyeart announced that he asked for a special prosecutor to handle the investigation involving the son of McClain, a longtime state legislator.

Enyeart issued a news release Monday saying he had petitioned the court for appointment of a special prosecutor in the investigation because of a conflict of interest. Judge Maughmer granted the motion and appointed Byal to handle the case.

Rich McClain, who also lives in Ridgeview Estates, is seeking his eighth term representing District 24 in the Indiana House of Representatives. Both he and Enyeart are Republicans.

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com