The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 8

SERVING JOHNSON AND SHELBY COUNTIES dry (nj WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1997 The Indianapolis Star The Indianapolis News Online: www.starnews.com Infoline: 624-4643 Defendant Life is wonderful. I have no complaints. 99 Pete Mulligan, who turns 100 this week admits he committee murder 1 Jeffrey Stoops enters guilty plea, avoiding a second trial brought on after first jury couldn't reach verdict. By Jerry Graff STAFF WRITER FRANKLIN, lnd. A week before his retrial on a murder charge, Jeffrey M.

Stoops pleaded guilty to murder in the shooting of an Indianapolis man to death in a Johnson County field. Johnson Superior Court 1 Judge James Coachys accepted the plea in the slaying of James Branam on Nov. 11, 1995. Sentencing is set for Nov. 15.

Deputy Prosecutor Michael DeCourcy asked Stoops to describe the killing. Stoops replied that Branam, 41, had been shot four or five times with a Clock 9 mm handgun. "You're admitting your guilt to the crime of murder?" DeCourcy asked "Yes," the 21 -year-old defendant replied. Under the plea agreement, Stoops will be sentenced to 45 to 65 years in prison, with Coachys determining the length. The pre ft li -r n.il jo Inside Slaying probe is costly for city The investigation of Kelly Eckart's slaying is proving costly for Franklin.

The City Council has approved $24,000 in additional appropriations for manpower and equipment costs in the probe. Page 2 Goose Creek goes rambling Goose Creek has been wandering from its banks, and the Johnson County Commissioners plan to do something about that to help stabilize the banks. Page 3 Junior pulls in the passes Wide receiver Josh Hamilton is pulling in passes every which way for the Shelbyville High School Golden Bears. The junior is Just two receptions away from setting a school record for a season. Page 4 WHAT'S Up Training day All branches of Johnson County Public Library will be closed Nov.

7 for staff training. The libraries will resume normal operating hours Nov. 8. National Merit Six Center Grove High School seniors have been named National Merit Semi-finalists out of the more than 1 million students who took the 1996 PSAT. They are among 15,000 students nationwide who have earned this distinction and may continue competition for the 1998 merit scholarships.

The students are Sarah Borron, daughter of Judy and Ronald Borron; Erin Brew, daughter of Beverly and James Brew; Elizabeth Frank, daughter of Debra and John Frank; Christopher Horn, son of Constance and Jon Horn; Bryce Johnson, son of Annalei and Bruce Johnson; and Anna Ray, daughter of Jennifer and Michael Ray. Home buying info Bridget Hood of Waterfield Financial and Ramona Modglin of Prudential Advantage Realtors will present a free home buying seminar 10:30 a.m. Saturday at White River Branch of Johnson County Public Library. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in buying a home to get questions answered. The 45-minute program will provide information about buying existing homes, building one, mortgage loan options and how to prepare for moving day.

The White River branch is on lnd. 135 near Smith Valley Road. To pre-register, call Modglin at (317) 329-3622 or Hood at (317) 887-8837. If you are unable to attend, you may call to have the information sent to you. sumptive sentence is 55 years to which 10 years can be added in the case of aggravating circum 1 1 Jeffrey Stoops admitted in i stances or 10 subtracted in the event there are mitigating circumstances.

Prosecutor Lance Hamner said court that he shot a man four to five times in a Johnson he will request a term based on aggravating circumstances but de County field. clined to say if he would seek the maximum. Stoops Staff Photo Rob Goebel REMEMBERING: Pete Mulligan enjoys telling visitors about his memories of events ranging from the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series to the first days of both world wars. 100 Years And Golden Greenwood man says he's reached a point in his life where he fears not a thing. ByT.J.Wilham CORRESPONDENT wasn eligible for the death penalty, he added.

"It was definitely a very cold-blooded killing," Hamner said at a news conference after Tuesday's plea hearing. Stoops' first trial ended in mistrial in April when jurors couldn't reach a verdict. Ten reportedly had favored guilty and two voted for acquittal. Hamner said the state had strengthened its case after the mistrial. "During the first trial, a state's witness alleged that Stoops had made threats against witnesses, the sheriff (J.D.

Richards) and the prosecutor," Hamner said. State Police and FBI investigated the allegation, he said. During that probe, more witnesses were found and critical documentary evidence useful to the prosecution was recovered. Hamner said. In addition, Stoops made an incriminating statement to a State Police investigator, he said.

"Upon disclosure of the new evidence to the defense. Stoops agreed to plead guilty," Hamner said. DeCourcy said that as part of the plea agreement, Hamner agreed not to seek charges against Stoops for threats he allegedly made while in jail. Charges in other jurisdictions, including a robbery charge in Morgan County, also would be dropped. At trial, Hamner had contended that Stoops killed Branam because of an unpaid drug debt.

It also was alleged that Stoops and his girlfriend, Brandy Anderson Curry, the victim's niece, had picked up Branam at his home and driven him to a field in White River Township. Curry and another woman said they took Bran-am's body to Amarillo, Texas, and dumped it along a rural road. hile his eyes are marked with a 100-year gleam, and his headphones echo out Mulligan served in the Army for nine years, including a period in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He married his wife. Naomi, in 1941.

They later moved to Johnson County from Philadelphia and started a trophy shop, which now has a different owner, in Franklin. "They were perfect for one another," said Sister Maria Francisca, one of Mulligan's two sisters. In 1987, Naomi died after having triple-bypass surgery. The couple never had children. "I would have adopted if I could do it all over again," he said, his eyes watering.

"If she was still alive, I wouldn't be in this hospital." Tuesday, the hospital had a birthday bash for Mulligan. Thursday, the Sertoma Club of Greenwood will have See GOLDEN Page 2 side noises into his nearly Greenwood man who will celebrate his 100th birthday this Halloween. "You must have courage." In his hospital bedroom filled with birthday cards, books, videotapes and charm, Mulligan awaits visitors with whom he will play chess and share a smile. Often he will tell a story from his World War II days or from the time, as a 12-year-old boy, he moved from Ireland to the United States. Despite his wrinkles, his fading eyesight and his ears aided by a pocket-sized amplifier.

Mulligan contends he is still a boy. "Life is wonderful," said Mulligan as he sits In his chair at the Roude-bush Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Indianapolis. "I have no deaf ears, Pete Mulligan recites the poem, The Spell oj the Yukon. "There's gold, and it's haunting and haunting," he says in a creaky voice, proving his memory is still intact. "It's luring me on as of old.

Yet it isn't the gold that I am wanting, so much as just finding the gold." Mulligan has found the gold. "I don't fear anything," said the The Fit Frogs share wisdom with children Gift shop hit in arson spree ready to make a fresh start (Q) Vflff! Who We Are By Vic Ryckaert Staff Writer GREENWOOD, lnd. Hot apple cider and cinnamon permeate the air of a gift shop recovering from damage caused by an arsonist's torch. The comforting aroma has replaced the pungent, smoky odor Troupe dressed as amphibians presents skits that offer lessons on health, diversity, self-esteem. ByT.J.Wilham CORRESPONDENT GREENWOOD, lnd.

These frogs out of Pondwater are taking leaps to teach kids how to live healthier lives. "We don't think we can change the world," said Chris Hearne, Head Frog of Pondwater, a Can, Metro South sections are published Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Metro South Bureau staff consists of: Jeff Zogg, bureau chief, 865-4901 Paul Bird, police and courts reporter. 865-4909 Kathy Day, editorial assistant, 865-4908 Rob Goebel, photographer, 865-4905 Jerry Graff, government reporter, 865-4906 Terry Hutchens, sports reporter, 865-4903 Michele McNeil, education reporter, 865-4907 Vic Ryckaert, development reporter, 865-4912. ADVERTISING: To place an ad, call (317) 633-1100.

CIRCULATION: To subscribe, call (317) 633-9211 or (00) 669-7827. Staff Photo Rob Goebel HEAD IN HAND: Chris Hearne displays part of a Fit Frogs costume and a poster of the Frogs' comic strip representations, drawn by Jordan Ward. that blanketed Gifts Unlimited after a Sept. 18 fire destroyed Papa John's Pizza next door. "We did everything to get that smoke smell out," said owner Tina Fearin.

"We can't dwell on it. We're going to be OK from here on out, and it's just going to get bigger and better." The fire that cleaned out Gifts Unlimited, 295 S. lnd. 135. was one of a rash of suspected arsons at area businesses that remain unsolved.

The flames were contained In See GIFT 3HOP Page 2 Greenwood-based company that visits schools and hospitals teaching kids healthful habits through live animation. "We want parents to get their kids involved with exercising and living a healthier lifestyle." Hearne and three other trained performers dress as life-sized frogs and act out skits for children of all ages, teaching them lessons about diversity, eating right, disabilities and self-esteem. The characters of Pondwater are called The Fit Frogs, and each represents a lesson for living. I arlist Jordan Ward started Pondwater eight years ago as a comic strip published in local newsletters and school papers. Ward drew the cartoons as Hearne developed the concept.

Soon after the company was founded, it received a government grant to perform live on public television. Due to federal cuts, the grant See FROGSage2 Jeff is a couch-potato frog who is not taking care of himself: Cal is an African-American frog; Lee is a pre-teen Asian; Rana is Hispanic; Bull is a bodybuilder; Casey and Jordan are parent figures; Trey Is Jordan's three-legged dog; and Patrick is a frog who uses a wheelchair. "There is a part of us in every frog," said Hearne, whose father had a disability. While working for Citizens Gas, Hfflme and.