What was reported
A jury found Bryce Michael Leighton guilty of murder in the killing of Tara Langley, according to The Bloomingtonian's October 30 report[1]. The outlet reported that Langley was killed at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023, in the attached garage of a home on East State Road 45 in rural Monroe County.
The Bloomingtonian also reported that the defendant told investigators that “everything just went into a blur.” This account comes from a single outlet.
What families can do next
When your family loses someone to violence, you may face several decisions at once. Keep copies of the coroner's records, funeral bills, and court documents. Victim assistance staff at the prosecutor's office can explain what happens between a verdict and sentencing.
A criminal case and a civil wrongful death claim are separate. General information about working with a Fort Wayne wrongful death attorney can help you understand the difference, while the firm's guide to Indiana wrongful death filing deadlines explains why waiting for the criminal process to end may create problems.
Why location and deadlines matter
This killing happened in Monroe County, where the criminal case was tried. 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 verdict. Families in long criminal cases should ask about civil deadlines early.
Indiana also divides fault among those involved under Ind. Code 34-51-2-6. Under that rule, an injured person whose own fault is greater than 50 percent recovers nothing; otherwise, recovery is reduced by that person's percentage of fault. The firm's explanation of Indiana's comparative fault rule provides more general context.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a Fort Wayne personal injury law firm 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, identify deadlines that may apply, and discuss the available records. No outcome can be promised in any case.
If you need to understand your options, you can request a free case evaluation.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation or related proceedings may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
