Columbus, Indiana – A Bartholomew County judge has overturned the 1999 murder conviction of Jason Hubbell, who spent over 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. The decision, handed down by Judge Kelly S. Benjamin, stems from significant evidence that was withheld by the State, which pointed to another suspect in the murder of Sharon Myers.
Hubbell was convicted in connection with Myers’s 1997 abduction and murder, receiving a sentence of 75 years. The case came under fresh scrutiny when the Exoneration Justice Clinic (EJC) at Notre Dame initiated a pro bono investigation in October 2022. Their efforts culminated in a pivotal evidentiary hearing earlier this year, where compelling new evidence emerged, identifying Michael Dean Overstreet as a likely perpetrator. Overstreet currently resides on death row for another crime committed in 1997.
In her ruling, Judge Benjamin noted striking similarities between Myers’s case and that of Kelly Eckart, who was murdered shortly after Myers. Both women disappeared from their workplaces, were abducted using a van, had their shoes removed, and were ultimately killed in the Atterbury Wildlife Preserve in Indiana. The judge pointed out that evidence linking Overstreet to Myers would have been crucial for Hubbell’s defense, calling it “significantly favorable evidence.”
The court discovered that the State had failed to disclose substantial exculpatory evidence regarding Overstreet. Records showed that he had left his home the morning of Myers’s abduction and returned later that day covered in blood. During the evidentiary hearing, Overstreet invoked his Fifth Amendment right when questioned about his involvement, further complicating the prosecution’s case against Hubbell.
Judge Benjamin criticized the lead detective from the Columbus Police Department for intentionally misleading Hubbell’s defense team about critical evidence. The detective focused solely on Hubbell, failing to investigate leads that might have implicated Overstreet. The judge described this “tunnel vision” as a significant factor in the miscarriage of justice.
Moving forward, Hubbell has been ordered to be transferred to Bartholomew County Jail ahead of a status hearing scheduled for October 2, 2025, which will determine the next steps in the process of officially exonerating him.
Professor Jimmy Gurulé, the faculty director of the EJC, praised the combined efforts of students and staff in bringing justice to Hubbell. “This outcome is a testament to the commitment and hard work of everyone involved,” he said, highlighting the invaluable contributions of legal assistants and investigators throughout the process.
In addition to the professionals involved, the case also engaged many Notre Dame students who have dedicated their time to uncover new evidence and advocate for Hubbell’s exoneration. Adam Miller, a law student who was part of the investigation, expressed pride in their team’s achievement. “To see the court do Jason justice is an incredible feeling,” he remarked.
Second-year law student Ella Cain shared her transformative experience working on Hubbell’s case, emphasizing the impact it has had on her understanding of justice. Her involvement has underscored the powerful role that attorneys play in both upholding justice and combating injustices within the legal system.
As the legal team prepares for the upcoming hearing, there is a renewed sense of hope for Hubbell and a commitment to ensuring that such a grave miscarriage of justice is never repeated.
