Sgt. Brant “Butch” Nine

The man who murdered a Nappanee Police officer in 1988 is set to appear before the Indiana State Parole Board on Thursday seeking clemency for the crime he confessed to committing.

Michael R. Steele last sought release from prison in 2009 and back then, as today, the officer’s family continues to fight the release. The Nappanee Police Department is also asking for the public’s help to keep Steele behind bars.

On Nov. 3, 1988, Sgt. Brant “Butch” Nine and his partner, Phillip Hochstetler, were called to Newcomer Jewelry Store on SR 19 where Steele, then 24 years old, was attempting to pass a bad check. Nine confronted Steele and a physical altercation ensued. Steele managed to get control of Nine’s service revolver and used it to fatally shoot him. Hochstetler exchanged gunfire with Steele ultimately striking him and taking him into custody.

Steele pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 years in prison for murder and 50 years for attempted murder. Since then, he has repeatedly petitioned for dismissal, modification or reductions of his sentence. In 2009, he filed a petition for clemency, but was denied.

Now, once again, Steele is seeking clemency. Clemency would not forgive the crime, but it would allow Steele to be treated more lenient and perhaps be released from prison. On Thursday, he will appear before the Department of Corrections board, but members of Nine’s family and officers of the Nappanee Police Department plan to attend and hope to have letters and a petition for the board, encouraging them not to grant clemency and to leave Steele behind bars.

Until 3 p.m. Wednesday, The Nappanee Police Department is accepting letters from the public and signatures on the petition. Those wanting to participate are encouraged to sign the petition to deny Steele’s clemency at the police department. Letters are also being accepted at the police department until 3 p.m. Wednesday in person, by fax 574-773-4155 or by email: [email protected].

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Ironically, Phillip Hochstetler was also shot and killed in the line of duty. He was a detective with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department on June 29, 1994, when he was killed by burglary suspect David Swearingen. Swearingen then murdered his two small children before fleeing the home. He was shot and killed by Warsaw Police officers two days later.)