[APPEALS] Kevin Hatfield v. State of Indiana, 23A CR 2780

Kevin Hatfield and Jasmine were married and lived together. On June 11, 2021, Jasmine was found dead at her house with twenty-three stab wounds in the chest, arms, legs, and neck. A 911 call was made and the caller stated that Hatfield had killed Jasmine. The State charged Hatfield with murder and sought habitual offender status. At his jury trial, the trial court admitted a portion of the 911 call wherein the caller stated that Hatfield had killed Jasmine and a picture of the style of knife given to Hatfield as a wedding gift. A clinical and forensic psychiatrist-who evaluated Hatfield-testified that Hatfield's mental health issues affected what happened on June 11, 2021. The jury found Hatfield guilty as charged, and Hatfield plead guilty to being a habitual offender. The trial court sentenced Hatfield to 62 years for murder and enhanced his sentence by 12 years due to his habitual offender status. This appeal ensued.

Hatfield raises the following restated issues for our review: (1) whether the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted the portion of the 911 call and the picture of the knife; and (2) whether the trial court abused its sentencing discretion when it failed to consider Hatfield's mental health and substance abuse issues as mitigating factors.

The scheduled panelists are Judge May, Judge Weissmann, and Judge Foley.