Scott Leon Wilkins

WARSAW — After almost 5 1/2 hours of deliberation, the jury found Scott Leon Wilkins, 37, 136 N. Main St., Milford, guilty on two of three charges. He will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, in Kosciusko County Superior Court 3.

The jury unanimously found Wilkins guilty of causing death of another person with a schedule I or II controlled substance in the body, a level 4 felony; and failure to stop after an accident resulting in death, a level 5 felony. He was found not guilty on the charge of reckless homicide, a level 5 felony.

The charges stem from the Dec. 27, 2014, fatal accident on CR 1350N, near CR 300W, Milford. Wilkins was determined the driver of the vehicle, which crashed and claimed the life of Kami Ellis, 27, Nappanee.

There was no emotion heard or seen from family and friends on either side when the verdict was read. The jurors, after reaching the verdict, kept their eyes on the judge or away from the defendant while in the courtroom. Wilkins himself was observed as not showing any emotion.

Wilkins was remanded back into the custody of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. He has been incarcerated since his Jan. 2, 2015, arrest. Judge Joe Sutton reset his bond at $100,000 surety. The bond had been reduced on Feb. 9, 2015, to $20,000 surety.

Prior to Wilkins being taken back to his cell block, he was allowed unlimited time to talk with family and friends, who like the Ellis family, have attended the trial daily. However, Sutton asked there be no physical contact with Wilkins, this would eliminate Wilkins being subjected to a search when he returned to jail.

The jury began deliberations at approximately 4:03 p.m. Family members of Wilkins and of the victim, Kami Ellis, remained at the courthouse throughout the evening anxiously waiting for the verdict. At times they began to wonder if a verdict would be reached and wondered why it was taking such a long time. One individual stated regardless of the verdict, no one would be a winner.

The Ellis family was notified at 10:26 p.m. a verdict had been reached on all three counts. The jury returned to the courtroom four minutes later. A poll of each juror was taken by the judge, “Are these your verdicts?” he asked. Each replied affirmative.

“This was a difficult task to put on anyone’s shoulder,” stated Sutton to the jury. “We appreciate your service to the public.”

A level 4 felony carries a sentence range of 2 to 12 years, while a level 5 felony carries a range of 1-6 years. It will be the decision of Sutton to determine the sentence as well as if the sentences will run concurrent – the same time, or consecutive – one after the other.

See related:

• Closing Arguments Presented In Wilkins Trial
• Defense Rests, Case Going To Jury
• Prosecution Rests In Scott Wilkins Trial
• Jury Reviews Medical Documents
• Further Evidence Presented In Wilkins Trial
• Wilkins Trial Continues
• State Begins Presenting Its Case
• Jury Trial Begins In 2014 Fatal Accident
• Two Arrested Following Saturday Traffic Fatality
• Victim In Saturday’s Crash Identified
• One Dies In Fatal Accident Near Milford