Robert Edward Hurley

The man charged with the strangulation death of his roommate was arraigned in court this morning on a single charge of murder.

As StaceyPageOnline.com first reported yesterday, the death of a man at Hideaway Hills mobile home park has been ruled a homicide. (See story)

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested Robert Edward Hurley, 54, for allegedly strangling his roommate, Lionel Dale King, 51. Both men resided at Lot 34 in Hideaway Hills.

KCSD deputies responded to the mobile home park at approximately 12:47 p.m. Sunday for a welfare check. Officers arrived and located King, deceased. KCSD crime scene investigators, detectives and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office say King appeared to have been strangled by a cord.

Deputies detained Hurley at the residence without incident and transported him to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for questioning. Kosciusko County detectives determined that Hurley had contacted a family regarding his involvement in the strangulation earlier in the day.

Photos by Stacey Page

Family members immediately contacted KCSD and provided the information which led to the initial welfare check on King. KCSD crime scene technicians obtained evidence that was indicative of King being strangled by a cord, and then his body was dragged into a bedroom in the mobile home.

Detectives obtained search warrants for the residence as the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office placed a no bond hold on Hurley for the preliminary charge of murder.

The actual cause of death has not formally been determined pending an autopsy scheduled for this morning at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne. Kosciusko County Coroner Michael Wilson stated his office will provide more information as it becomes available.

Hurley appeared in Kosciusko County Circuit Court this morning where an initial plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.

When asked by Judge Mike Reed if he had questions regarding his constitutional rights, Hurley said, “I have a lot of medications and mental stuff. I take a lot of medications; I’m bipolar and,” but he was cut off by the judge who asked if he had questions about his constitutional rights. Hurley responded, “No.”

The accused also told the court he is currently paying attorney Scott Smith for three criminal domestic battery charges that were filed against him in October 2012. However, because his only source of income is government disability, Judge Reed appointed defensive attorney Jay Rigdon to represent him.

Hurley is charged with a class A felony murder charge. He was told by Judge Reed that his charge carries a penalty of 45 to 65 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.

A pre-trial conference has been set for 10 a.m. Monday, May 20.