Authorities in Indiana have identified a suspect in the 2006 murders of 10-year-old Blake Dickus and his 26-year-old stepmother, Chynna Dickus, years before charges were filed. Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner explained that Michael Jerome James was recognized as a suspect long ago, but navigating a gap in state law complicated efforts to prosecute him for crimes committed when he was just 14.
“That’s what took us so long,” Hamner remarked. “We were unable to move forward with charges because we needed to sort out the jurisdictional issues.” James, now 35, faced four murder counts during a court appearance in Franklin on October 8, where he was accused of killing Blake and Chynna while attempting to burglarize their home.
James indicated he hadn’t yet secured an attorney but planned to do so soon. Judge Andrew Roesener allowed him until November 2 to hire one and set the date for the next status hearing.
The legal gap delaying prosecution
Hamner pointed out that the challenge stemmed from James’ age at the time of the murders. Indiana law traditionally placed juvenile offenses in the hands of juvenile courts, creating a dilemma when a suspect aged out of that system before being charged.
Due to this, questions arose about whether an adult court could even hear the case since James was not charged as a juvenile. “This left an unusual gap since the law did not provide guidance for a situation where a crime was committed by someone who was just 14 and then aged out before being charged,” Hamner noted.
In 2023, the law changed, creating a path for adult courts to prosecute certain serious juvenile crimes. However, it only applied in specific situations where the offense could have warranted adult prosecution back when the suspect was still a minor.
But, during a related child molestation case, the Indiana Court of Appeals found the statute could not be applied, followed by a similar ruling from the Indiana Supreme Court. This meant the earlier statute could not be used for James’s case either. “So, we had to start from scratch,” Hamner said, describing how they worked with lawmakers to draft a new law addressing those concerns.
Ultimately, a new statute was passed in 2025, giving the legal foundation needed to charge James. Hamner expressed greater confidence in the latest law’s stability compared to its predecessor, saying, “There’s no guarantee, but I feel much more secure about this statute.”
On the flip side, defense lawyer Mike Cunningham commented that he believes Indiana law might not permit prosecuting James for actions taken before the juvenile jurisdiction law changed in 2023. “For crimes committed prior to 2023, the law doesn’t allow charges due to lack of adequate notice,” he explained, highlighting potential jurisdiction challenges that could arise down the line.
The investigation
Blake and Chynna were brutally stabbed in their home on Aberdeen Drive in Franklin. Blake’s father, Sean Dickus, discovered the tragic scene after coming home, while his mother, Christina Smith, was kept away by police surrounding their neighborhood.
Investigators noted that Blake had fought back against his attacker, showing severe injuries to his hands. “His hands were so damaged, it looked like he tried to grab the knife,” Christina recounted. “I can’t imagine how anyone could do such a thing and live with themselves.” Over the years, detectives explored multiple angles including connections to nearby burglaries but failed to pinpoint suspects.
Hamner acknowledged the thoroughness of the investigation, stating they received many tips but nothing solid came of them. He didn’t clarify if there was evidence linking James to the past break-ins.
The case’s ongoing journey
This case has cast a long shadow over Hamner, who has been involved since the murders occurred while he was prosecutor. He later transitioned to a role as a judge but remained engaged. It wasn’t until 2021 that he learned authorities believed they had a break in the cold case; what ultimately led them to James has not been disclosed.
Hamner confessed that the development in the case played a significant role in his decision to run for prosecutor again, motivated by a wish to resolve what had remained unresolved for far too long.
A family in search of closure
The arrest represents nearly two decades filled with uncertainty for the Dickus family, who have continuously sought answers and updates as investigators reviewed old evidence and followed leads. Sean Dickus lived under public scrutiny despite being cleared in the killings, describing the ordeal as torturous for his family. “Nothing could be worse than this,” he remarked.
As it stands, little has been revealed about the evidence linking James to the case. Franklin Police Capt. Jeff Dawe confirmed that this is the first major lead in a two-decade investigation supported by forensic findings, though officials have not publicly disclosed specifics about that evidence.
James is currently held without bond at the Johnson County Jail, with a pretrial conference scheduled for December 10.
