Jury returns guilty verdict in burglary trial

Frank T. Platt

After evidence was presented at trial last week, a jury found Frank T. Platt, 38, of Milan, guilty of Burglary, a level 5 Felony.
It took the jury about four and a half hours to come to that conclusion, but they were able to come to a decision through all of the back and forth with the State and defense attorney Jud McMillan, along with final instructions from Judge Ryan King.

Platt was charged after a property in Delaware, near where he lived, was burglarized on March 20, 2025.

In closing statements Prosecutor Hertel said, “This is a case of accountability and responsibility. He asked the jury to use their common sense and life experience.

The prosecutor talked about the stolen property that belonged to Mike and Becky Pohle and the expectation their belongings would be safe inside their own barn. However, evidence showed that a latch had been manipulated giving Platt access to the inside contents.

A witness and co-defendant, Megan Myers, 33 of Versailles, was involved and testified for the State. Seth Pohle, who lived at the residence that was burglarized saw both Myers and Platt. Myers’ car, was full of items such as a sled, grinder, rachet set, tools, toolboxes and more that belonged to the Pohles. Inside her vehicle there were also items belonging to Platt. During the trial photos of the vehicle with the stolen items were shown, along with a knife Platt had used to open the latch on the barn door. Those were all found in Myers’ vehicle.
Both the prosecutor and defense attorney, Jud McMillan, described Myers as a liar and drug addict. They would agree that she didn’t remember much from that night for whatever reason. Myers was also charged in the crime but pled guilty earlier last year. In her plea agreement she was placed on three years of home detention to be followed by another three years of probation.

The prosecutor noted during the trial that Myers overdosed in November of last year and had to have Narcan. He said his hope is that she can stay clean and change the course of her life. He described Community Corrections/Probation as running a “tight ship” and said Myers will be closely monitored and have drug screens. He noted that she was accountable as well as Platt in the commission of the crime. She pled guilty, he opted for a jury trial.

In closing, McMillan said, “We (pointing to the defendant) don’t have to prove anything.” He reminded the jury the burden of proof was on the State. He tried to poke holes in the State’s case, even deflecting on the work the police officers had done. “The police could have done a better job,” he noted. “That scene was not protected.”

Sentencing for Platt was set for February 10 with the possibility of him being sentenced up to six years in prison for the crime.

Prosecuting attorney, Ric Hertel, who tried the case for the State of Indiana expressed his gratitude for the time and focus the jurors devoted to this matter. “It’s always a significant ask that jurors put their lives on hold so our justice system is able to work.” Additionally, he thanked Corporal Bob Curl with the Sheriff’s Office for his investigative work and professionalism from start to finish. “While this was a burglary of a non-residence, the people in our community should feel safe and their property secure without the worry of someone breaking in and stealing their belongings. This means their homes and the rest of their property.” When there is more than one person involved in a crime an assessment and determination of culpability must be made for each individual. Then an attempt at a just resolution is made, and Judge King will make that decision for this defendant on February 10.