Timeline of Key Events: Vernon T. Bateman

1998

On Jan. 23 at 3:30 am, alleged victim Angela Truitt leaves her boyfriend’s house after an argument. She returns at 6:30 am reporting she was raped by three men.
On Feb. 17, Lake County Detective Mary Banks visits Truitt’s home with a photo array. Truitt “identifies” Bateman.
On Sept. 14, trail starts. Truitt fails to appear. On Sept. 15, Truitt again fails to appear. Bateman’s attorney does not request dismissal or challenge continuance.
On Sept. 21, the trial begins.
Linda Koppen, a nurse at Methodist Northlake, testifies she and Dr. Neil Winston performed a sexual. Assault kit, including DNA testing, on Truitt.
Det. Mary Banks testifies she “turned over” the assault kit.
The sexual assault kit is not entered into evidence. The state presents no other evidence tying Bateman to Truitt or crime scene.
The state’s only eyewitness, co-defendant Sa’ron Foley, does not testify. Det. Mary Banks delivers his “testimony,” depriving Bateman the right of cross-examination.
Vernon T. Bateman is convicted of rape, criminal deviate conduct, and criminal confinement. Sentenced to two 30-year terms and one 10-year term (concurrent).

2003

Truitt writes letter to Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter recanting testimony, stating “Banks came to my house with a picture of Mr. Bateman and said he was the man who committed the rape.” She asks Carter “to have this man who has spent six (6) years of his life in prison based on mis-information by myself to be released and/or at least have this case investigated.”
Truitt repeats recantation in taped statement to Attorney Ray Szmarach.

2004

2007

In notarized letter, Truitt’s brother, Chris L. Veal, confirms Truitt was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in letter pleading for Bateman’s release.
Veal writes that in June 2007, Truitt went missing for three days and “put on an act of being abducted.” When she returned, she claimed she was raped and beaten.
Veal offers to testify.

2008

Bateman appeals for post-conviction relief.
Truitt, who is medicated at the time and in a psychiatric facility, reverses recantation because Mr. Bateman’s sister paid her $100. Bateman’s sister testifies that Truitt’s allegations are false.
The court finds Truitt “believable,” stating the 2003-2004 recantations “did not rise to the level of newly discovered evidence to warrant a new trial.”
Appeal is denied.

2009

2010

Mr. Bateman publishes his first children’s book while in solitary confinement to parent his daughter after her mother is killed by a drunk driver.

2017

Bateman files motions for DNA Collection and a Subpoena Duce Tecum to force the state to produce the DNA results of the Sexual Assault/Rape Kit collected. State denies both motions based on lies.
State denied first motion because “Attorney Tavitas’ recollection of the trial testimony was that the perpetrators used a condom. Due to that reason, no DNA testing was performed.”
State denied second motion claiming, “neither the Gary Police Department nor the Indiana State Police can locate any evidence that a rape kit was taken in the investigation of this case.”

2018