Derrick L. Wandrick

WARSAW — A 25-year-old Illinois man has rejected a proposed plea deal and instead has requested a trial by jury in the stabbing death of an Elkhart man last year.

Derrick Lavelle Wandrick, 167 E. 154th St., Harvey, Ill., was arrested in October 2017 in connection with the death of David Lamont Strowder of Elkhart and charged with murder. Investigators said Strowder was stabbed 63 times.

On Friday, Nov. 16, Wandrick appeared in Kosciusko County Circuit Court, represented by Scott Lennox and Matthew Buehler and rejected a proposed plea agreement. Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed ordered a jury trial for Wandrick for March 12, 2019, at 8:30 a.m.

Wandrick was arrested after Strowder was found lying face down near a Kosciusko County road and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police reported making a connection between the victim and Wandrick and found key pieces of evidence, including bloody clothing and the alleged murder weapon.

During a pre-trial conference last month, Wandrick requested a change of plea hearing, which occurred today.