In the late hours of August 2, 2006, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Clarence A. 'Chip' Hoosier, a 56-year-old man, was working his shift as a driver for Yellow Cab. A call came in for a pickup in the 3900 block of North Butler Avenue, and Hoosier, a deacon at St. Bridget Catholic Church known for his kindness and community involvement, responded. This routine fare, however, was a trap set by three teenagers with robbery in mind. When Hoosier arrived, he was ambushed.
During the robbery, he was shot in the chest and dragged out of his vehicle. The assailants made off with a mere $30 and his cell phone.
The investigation into the murder of the beloved husband, father, and grandfather quickly led police to three suspects: Herbert Johnson, 17, Jamaar C. Bess, 17, and Rodney Harris, 16. Bess was the first to be arrested, and though police did not believe he was the triggerman, they were confident he was involved in the planning and execution of the robbery. Soon after, Herbert Johnson was taken into custody and identified by prosecutors as the one who fired the fatal shot. The youngest of the three, Rodney Harris, was the final suspect to be apprehended.
All three teenagers were charged as adults for their roles in the senseless murder of Clarence Hoosier. Jamaar C. Bess pleaded guilty to murder and robbery and was sentenced to 55 years in prison. Rodney Harris, who also pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, received a 30-year sentence. Herbert Johnson, the alleged shooter, initially tried to withdraw his guilty plea for murder and robbery but was denied by the judge, who cited the evidence and statements from his co-conspirators. Johnson was handed the longest sentence of the trio: 75 years in prison.
