Murder, rape case to go to trial - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

Kyle Popplewell was escorted into the Dubois County Courthouse by Deputy Wade Pierce (left) and Courthouse Security Officer Mike Shaw for his arraignment for the murder of Jeffrey Perry. Popplewell as also charged with two counts of rape, counts of criminal confinement, burglary, intimidation, and battery resulting in serious bodily injury. <File photo>

The case against Kyle N. Popplewell will go to trial in 2017.

The 25-year-old Ferdinand man made an appearance in the Dubois County Circuit Court today to hear whether a plea agreement had come to terms between his attorneys and the Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Attorney Steve Ripstra informed Judge Nathan Verkamp no agreement had been reached.

Popplewell is charged with murder and Level 1 felony counts of rape (two counts) and burglary, plus a Level 2 felony count of criminal confinement and a Level 5 felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury. Those charges stem from an incident January 10 in which he allegedly entered the home of Jeffrey D. Perry, 37, located east of St. Henry, and stabbed him as he slept on a couch. Perry died from the attack. He also slashed Perry’s girlfriend who was staying at the home. He then barricaded himself in a bedroom of the home with a girl staying overnight at the home.

While barricaded in the room, he allegedly raped the girl multiple times before surrendering to police.

Verkamp set aside two weeks beginning June 12, 2017 for the jury trial for the charges Popplewell faces. Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Quinn told Verkamp the Perry family were in agreement with the trial occurring next year around that time.

If convicted, Popplewell could face the death penalty.