Crystal Pence of Brookville was sentenced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Franklin Circuit Court for the shooting death of her brother, Ronald Pence, at Riverfront Apartments in Brookville, according to Eagle Country 99.3[1] and WRBI[2]. The date of the shooting was not reported. She was charged in December 2024.
Pence pleaded guilty in July 2026 to voluntary manslaughter, Eagle Country 99.3 reported. The court sentenced her to 17.5 years, with one year suspended to probation. She is also barred from owning firearms, according to the outlets. The criminal case is now resolved with the sentence.
What families should do next
When you lose someone to violence, you may face many decisions at once. Keep copies of the coroner's records, funeral bills, and court documents, including restitution orders. Victim assistance staff at the prosecutor's office can explain what happens after sentencing.
A criminal sentence and a civil claim follow different paths. If you are considering a civil claim, organize records early and note the date of death because filing deadlines may run before every criminal proceeding is complete. A first consultation checklist can help you gather records for a focused review.
Why location matters in Indiana injury claims
This shooting happened in Brookville, in Franklin County, and the case was heard in Franklin Circuit Court. A civil case is usually filed in the county where the death happened or where a defendant lives.
Indiana wrongful death claims are governed by Ind. Code 34-23-1-1. Most claims must be filed within two years under Ind. Code 34-11-2-4, and that deadline usually runs from the death, not from the end of the criminal case. That is why timing matters when a criminal case takes a long time. Indiana divides fault among those involved under Ind. Code 34-51-2-6. You can read more about Indiana wrongful death filing deadlines and the state's comparative fault rule.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a personal injury law firm in Fort Wayne, Indiana, founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm helps families across Indiana who have lost someone because of another person's wrongful conduct. Chad Delventhal can explain how Indiana wrongful death claims work and which deadlines may apply. No outcome can be promised in any case.
If you want a private review, you can request a free case evaluation or learn more about working with a Fort Wayne wrongful death attorney.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation may be ongoing, and nothing in this post is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
