Suspects in Tippecanoe County judge’s shooting in court LOGANSPORT, Ind. (WISH) — Four of the five suspects accused of shooting a Tippecanoe County judge and his wife at their Lafayette home appeared Wednesday in a Cass County court for their initial hearings. Thomas Moss, Blake Smith, Ra ylen Ferguson, and Amanda Milsap face charges ranging from attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and bribery for the Jan. 18 shooting of Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim. A fifth suspect, Zenada Greer, is being held out of state. On Jan. 18, Lafayette police were called to the Meyers home and found the couple suffering gunshot wounds: Steve had been shot in the arm, while Kim sustained a bullet to the hip. Meyer has served as a judge in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 for 11 years, but announced in December he would retire at the end of the term. Each suspect was said to have gang ties. The judge was also set to preside over Thomas Moss’s 2024 firearm and domestic battery case in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 on Jan. 20, two days after the shooting. The Indiana Supreme Court on Monday announced Cass County Sueprior Court 2 Judge Lisa Swaim would serve as special judge over the case. Moss and Smith Moss and Smith appeared before the court first in the line of suspects. Both face charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery by means of a deadly weapon, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of justice. The judge set Moss and Smith’s bonds at a combined $3 million cash and $2 million surety. The state had previously requested they be held on either no bond or $20 million surety bond with $5 million cash. As part of the other conditions, the suspects will not be in general population and will not be allowed contact with other inmates, Judge Meyer and his wife, and a witness in Moss’s 2024 case. If Smith or Moss post bond, they will not be allowed to own firearms and use alcohol or drugs. The judge appointed Smith a public defender; Moss, who was out on bond when the shooting took place, opted to represent himself. If found guilty of all counts, each of the men face over a 100-year prison sentence. This estimate excludes the state-requested enhancements. Ferguson and Milsap Raylen Ferguson and Amanda Milsap were next in line to appear before the court. Ferguson faces the same charges as Moss including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated battery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery by means of a deadly weapon, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say Ferguson is the one who pulled the trigger multiple times, striking Judge Steve Meyer and his wife. Swaim appointed Ferguson a public defender and set his bond for $4 million cash. If Ferguson does bond out, he’s not allowed to return to his home state of Kentucky. Amanda Milsap was the only one presented before the judge by a lawyer, Mr. McCoy. Milsap has a 9-year-old son with Thomas Moss. Milsap has a masters degree in social work and is a mental health therapist for a living; McCoy argued that if Milsap serves time, her clients would be without her assistance and so would her son, who she currently has temporary custody of, pending the trial. She faces two charges: Bribery and obstruction of justice. In total, Milsap could face up to 8 years of prison. The judge appointed a $1.5 million bond after Milsap asked for a $5,000 bond. Swaim says she believes Milsap is a danger to the community because of her gang affiliations and involvement with Moss. Upcoming court dates Swaim set Moss’s, Smith’s, and Ferguson’s next court hearing for March 5. Jury trials were set for May 6. Court dates for Milsap weren’t available as of Wednesday afternoon. From left to right: Thomas Moss, Amanda Milsap, Raylen Ferguson, Zenana Greer, and Blake Smith. (Provided Photos/Tippecanoe County jail) ...read more read less