Jury selection begins Wednesday in Lehman trial

Lehman has been charged with strangulation, a class D felony, and three other misdemeanor counts including interference with the reporting of a crime, a class A misdemeanor; disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor; and battery resulting in bodily injury, a class A misdemeanor.

The 48-year-old Lehman lives in Linton and serves as the chairman of the Greene County Democrat Party -- a post he has held for 12 years.

The charges were filed after an investigation into an alleged incident reported to the Greene County Sheriff's Department on Nov. 16 by Misty Allen of Linton.

A warrant was issued for Lehman's arrest on Jan. 3 and he turned himself in at the Greene County Jail on the morning of Jan. 4. He was incarcerated for a 12-hour period -- which is standard in assault-related cases -- and then released after posting a $6,500 bond in the form of 10 percent cash.

Lehman's case will be heard in front of Special Judge P.J. Pierson, who serves as the Circuit Court Judge in Sullivan County. The appointment of a special judge was requested early in the case by Greene County Circuit Court Judge Erik Allen in order to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Special Prosecutor Barry S. Brown, a former two-term Monroe County prosecutor from Bloomington, will present the state's case against Lehman. The appointment of a special prosecutor was also requested early in the case by Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw for the same reasons a special judge was appointed.

Defense Attorney Jacob Fish will represent Lehman.

During the final pre-trial hearing held early in November, both the prosecution and the defense agreed they expect the trial, including jury selection, to last two days.

Forty people were to be summoned for jury duty -- seven will be selected to serve on a six-person jury with one alternate.

When testimony begins, the prosecution is expected to call three witnesses and present evidence including recorded interviews with Allen and Lehman, an audio of Allen's 911 call, photographs and an officer's written narrative. The defense is expected to call nine witnesses.