Indy man gets 90 years for double murder over $40 lawn care dispute

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indy man has been sentenced to 90 years after pleading guilty to murdering two men following a dispute over $40 on the city’s east side in March.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Michael Hendricks was sentenced to 90 years in the Indiana Department of Correction after admitting he fatally shot James McGuire and David Doty on March 28. In exchange, the state dismissed felony counts of attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal recklessness and unlawful possession of a firearm charges that were pending against him.

Previous reporting shows that officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1300 block of Riley Place in response to a reported shooting. This is near the intersection of Prospect Street and Emerson Avenue.

IMPD said officers arrived on the scene and found Doty outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. However, the MCPO confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries and died in June.

Police also found 48-year-old McGuire inside the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives met and spoke with witnesses who confirmed Hendricks was the shooter and provided them with his description. Police were told by a witness that McGuire reportedly owed Hendricks $40 and the shooting stemmed from a financial dispute over lawn care.

Police then caught up with Hendricks a short time later and ordered him to show his hands. IMPD said at the time that Hendricks had ignored these instructions before reportedly reaching for a firearm in his pocket and pointing it at an officer.

Police then shot Hendricks before he received medical care and was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.

“We have two individuals who lost their lives and a man now serving nearly 100 years behind bars over what literally amounted to $40 — that is absolutely devastating,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “Today’s resolution provides swift accountability and a sense of justice for the McGuire and Doty families without the prolonged trial process.”