DOB: 07-31-1966 DOC#: 872037 Black Male

Lake County Superior Court Judge James E. Letsinger

Prosecutor: Tom Jackson

Defense: Nathaniel Ruff

Date of Murder: August 12, 1986

Victim(s): John Rease B/M/74; Henrietta Rease B/F/59
(Ex-Foster Parents of Rouster)

Method of Murder: shooting with .32 and .22 handgun

Summary: John and Henrietta Rease were elderly foster parents, regularly taking into their home children who were often incorrigible and unwanted. One such child was Gregory Rouster, who was placed in the Rease home by the Wefare Dept. in November 1985 and stayed through February 1986. The Rease's operated a small candy store out of the first floor of their home in Gary. On August 12, 1986 both were shot to death in their home. John Rease was shot once in the shoulder area with a .32 handgun. Henrietta Rease was shot once in the back with the same .32 handgun and twice in the head at close range with a .22 handgun. .30 caliber ammunition was found on the floor. Numerous witnesses placed Rouster and his companion, Darnell Williams, going into the home with guns on the day of the murder. A foster child of the Rease's, 17 year old Derrick Bryant, testified that he was hiding in the house as Rouster and Williams entered, heard Rouster arguing with Henrietta over money they owed him, heard Henrietta say "Greg, why are you doing this?," then heard two more shots as he ran out the back door. Other witnesses testified that Rouster was outside when the last shots were fired. Rouster had bumped into his Welfare caseworker at the drugstore earlier the same day and asked if the Rease's received a clothing allowance for him while he was in foster care. When he was told that they did, Rouster declared that they owed him money and he was going to get it. Williams was later found in possession of the same .30 caliber ammunition found at the scene, as well as cash and a wristwatch that Bryant identified as the watch he had given to Henrietta as a gift.

Conviction: Felony-Murder, Felony-Murder
(Williams was tried jointly with Rouster and his girlfriend, Teresa Newsome. Newsome was acquitted)

Sentencing: March 23, 1987
Death Sentence (Rouster); Death Sentence (Williams)

Aggravating Circumstances: b (1) Robbery, 2 murders

Mitigating Circumstances: no prior criminal conduct, aid and kindness to members of his family, regular employment, high school graduate

Direct Appeal:
Rouster v. State, 600 N.E.2d 1342 (Ind. October 16, 1992)
Conviction Affirmed 5-0 DP Affirmed 4-1
Shepard Opinion; Givan, Dickson, Krahulik concur; Debruler dissents.

Joint Trial and Appeal with Gregory Rouster

PCR:
08-27-93 PCR filed;
Denied by Special Judge Richard J. Conroy 02-28-96

APPEAL PENDING