​​Terre Haute man charged in connection to Reynolds' case

ICN file photo

Blair/ Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man was arrested last night in connection to a recent murder investigation.

James D. Blair, 47, of 2123 Fourth Avenue, was booked into the Vigo County Jail on charges of assisting a criminal (level 5 felony) and false informing (Class B misdemeanor). His bond was set at $25,000 with no 10 percent allowed.

Indiana State Police Troopers from the Putnamville District All Crimes Policing Unit served a Vigo County Superior Court 1 arrest warrant for Blair at his residence just before 9 p.m.

According to Sgt. Joe Watts. events surrounding the fatal police action shooting of Michael "Mikey"  R. Reynolds -- at Blair's residence  March 6 -- led to the warrant.

Reynolds--  a wanted homicide suspect, escaped during the night of March 5 or in the early morning hours of March 6 from a nearby police perimeter at 2214 First Avenue , during a lengthy multi- police agency standoff.

"Reynolds made his way in the cover of darkness to the Blair residence at 2123 Fouth Avenue. They are known acquaintances," Watts explained.

 Blair's account of the night contradicted what detectives reviewed from store video of Reynold's at a local store.

"Those discrepancies, along with the video footage were the catalyst to Blair’s arrest," Watts said today.

According to the report:

• Terre Haute Police Department video footage procvided to ISP detectives reportedly showed a white Dodge pickup, driven by James D. Blair, enter the Terre Haute South Walmart parking lot at 3:51am on March 6 with suspect Reynolds.
• Reynolds entered the store and purchased several personal items, including a cell phone. The video shows the white Dodge pickup leaving the parking at 4:36a.m. 

Reynolds , still armed, allegedly ran from Blair's home the afternoon of March 6 -- presenting a threat to ISP South SWAT members. The officers fired shots at hin, fatally wounding him at that time.

Just a little over a month later, investigation into that shootiung is complete.

"Today, Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt ruled the police action shooting justifiable,"Watts said.

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