For 15 years, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has hosted an annual event for community members to learn about the law.
This year, the Community Justice Academy will focus on three topics: the grand jury process, the Bruce Mendenhall case, and the Blue Envelope program for people with certain disabilities.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears told Mirror Indy the event is an opportunity for the community to learn about his office, and for his office to learn from the community.
He recalled a previous session on jury selection, where residents came with very different assumptions about how someone gets kicked off a jury.
“It was an eye-opening experience for people in the audience,” Mears said, “but it was also a good reminder to me that there sometimes is a gap between what takes place in the criminal justice system and the public’s understanding of what we do day in and day out.”
He said the topics were chosen based on responses from the community.
All three sessions are free to attend and will be 6-7:30 p.m. at the Julia Carson Government Center, 300 E. Fall Parkway N Drive. Register here.
Oct. 15: Grand jury process
Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the grand jury process. Prosecutors can bring together a grand jury, made up of a group of six community members, to look at evidence in a case and determine whether someone can be criminally charged. The proceedings are largely confidential.
Oct. 22: Bruce Mendenhall case
Residents will hear about the case of Bruce Mendenhall, who was convicted this year of murdering Carma Purpura, an Indianapolis woman, in 2007. At the time of his conviction, Mendenhall, nicknamed the “Truck Stop Serial Killer,” was already serving two life sentences for killing two women in Tennessee. The team behind his trial in Indianapolis will walk through the investigation and trial strategy for the case.
Oct. 29: Blue Envelope program
Staff will discuss how disability law intersects with criminal law. It also will highlight the Blue Envelope program. Mears’ office partnered with The Arc of Indiana to bring the program here. It’s geared toward people who may have difficulty speaking to police officers, like those with anxiety disorders, autism, dementia or other conditions.
Officers are trained to recognize the envelope, in which participants can keep important documents like identification or emergency contact information. People who would like to participate or their caregivers can request a Blue Envelope from the prosecutor’s office.
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Emily Hopkins is a Mirror Indy reporter focused on data and accountability. You can reach them on phone or Signal at 317-790-5268 or by email at emily.hopkins@mirrorindy.org. Follow them on most social media @indyemapolis or on Bluesky @emilyhopkins.bsky.social.
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