Local Prosecutor, Victim’s Coordinator Presents on Holton Murder Case at National Conference

The CCAW is the national clearinghouse of best practices for those who work in the area of crimes against women.

Ripley County Victims' Coordinator Allen Beneker (left) with Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel. Photo provided.

(Ripley County, Ind.) – Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel and Ripley County Victims’ Coordinator Allen Beneker recently presented a case study at the Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas.

The Conference on Crimes Against Women is the national clearinghouse of best practices for law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, advocates, medical personnel, emergency telecommunicators, probation and parole officers and other who work in the area of crimes against women.

The case study was on the murder of Kristina Jones in January 2021.

Her then boyfriend, Jordan Knudson was convicted of murder in April of 2022 following a lengthy jury trial in Ripley County.

Hertel and Beneker’s presentation titled, No Direct Evidence, No Problem: State vs Jordan Knudson, walked the audience through the case.

A press release from the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office described the presentation, which outlined the events leading up to Jones’ murder, the investigation by Indiana State Police, the charging decision, pre-trial hearings, and the jury trial. The presentation covered many of the traditional power and control hallmarks of domestic violence relationships that were exhibited in the case. Further, it covered a number of evidentiary issues the prosecution team addressed throughout the case including the admissibility of multiple prior bad acts by Knudson, Jones’ medical records from prior abuse, and a protective order Jones filed against Knudson. Additionally, the presentation explained how the use of expert testimony from multiple disciplines helped counteract some of the significant witness credibility issues involved in the case. The workshop underscored the volatility and escalation in domestic violence relationships with an underlying goal of urging law enforcement and prosecutors to charge and try these difficult cases even when they are based solely on circumstantial evidence.

Recognizing that these crimes are unique in nature, CCAW provides the most up to date, relevant and effective training and techniques that exist to battle the epidemic.

If you or someone you know is need of Domestic Violence services, please contact Safe Passage at their 24/7 Toll-Free Helpline 1-877-733-1990 or go to www.safepassageinc.org.