Shelburn man draws 45 year prison term for murder/arson with local connection

Gregory Hale, 35, pleaded guilty to murder and arson in Sullivan Superior Court.

As part of a negotiated plea agreement, Hale admitted to strangling the mother of his child, Jennifer Peak, 34, of Paxton.

He also pleaded guilty to setting Peak's mobile home and vehicle on fire following the murder near Carlisle on June 21, 2009.

Superior Judge Robert Springer sentenced Hale to 45 years on the murder charge; 20 years on the Class B felony arson count (the mobile home); and three years on the Class D felony arson charge (the truck).

All the sentences will be served concurrently, meaning the period of imprisonment equals the length of the longest sentence.

Hale was also fined $100 on each of the three counts and given credit for time served of 259 days.

Hale was arrested in Greene County in June 2009.

According to court documents, Peak and Hale had lived together for about three years and they had a 2-year-old child, but about a week before the murder, Peak had kicked Hale out of her home and he went to stay with some acquaintances west of Linton.

Hale traveled to Peak's house on foot on June 21, 2009 they got into an argument, then began to fight which ended in him strangling her, according to The Sullivan Daily Times.

Hale was accused of intentionally setting Peak's trailer on fire and leaving in her pick-up truck. He drove to Greene-Sullivan State Forest. He said he threw a cigarette inside before walking away.

The truck was later found abandoned and burned in a remote area near the Greene-Sullivan State Forest south of Bucktown.

After leaving the truck, Hale reportedly walked back to the residence where he had been staying. His acquaintances then called the Greene County Sheriff's Department because Hale was telling them he had killed Peak.

Sullivan County deputies were sent to check on Peak -- she was found dead in a rear bedroom of her trailer filled with smoke.

Greene County officers and an Indiana State Police trooper from the Bloomington post were dispatched to the residence located near County Roads 1600W and 100S where Hale was staying. After they arrived, Hale allegedly became aggressive toward an officer and was subdued. He was taken into custody, treated for minor injuries at Greene County General Hospital then transported to the Sullivan County Jail.

Local officers who assisted in the investigation and arrest included ISP Trooper Byron Goodman, Greene County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Inman, Linton Police Cpl. Chad Crynes and (former) Officer Jayson Smith, and Jasonville Police Officer Ryan Van Horn.

Staff writers Anna Rochelle and Timberly Ferree contributed to this report.