Appeals court doesn't throw out charges in officer slaying

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) - The Indiana Court of Appeals has declined to dismiss murder and other charges against a northwestern Indiana man in connection with the 1980 shooting death of a police officer killed while working a private security job.

The court denied James Hill's motion to dismiss charges Jan. 17. The court stated in its opinion the 55-year-old Gary man failed to demonstrate he was prejudiced by the state's decision to file charges 36 years after the shooting death of Hammond Police Officer Lawrence Pucalik during the armed robbery of a motel. Hill faces a May 21 trial on charges of murder, murder while committing robbery and attempted robbery

Defense attorney Scott King told The (Northwest Indiana) Times on Tuesday that he would petition for a review by the Indiana Supreme Court.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.nwitimes.com