Times Staff Report

CROWN POINT

New Lenox, Ill., man admits to DUI death

Robert Moore III, 27, of New Lenox, Ill., pleaded guilty in Lake County court Tuesday to driving drunk and causing the death of his passenger, Ryan Hanner.

Moore faces an agreed eight-year prison term when sentenced Dec. 4 by Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez.

Moore admitted he lost control of his Ford Tempo on the Interstate 80 east Cline Avenue exit ramp on March 26, 2006.

The car rolled and then came to rest upright. Hanner, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, died of head trauma, authorities have said.

Rescue workers took Moore to the hospital for treatment, and the defendant's blood-alcohol concentration was 0.25, which is three times Indiana's legal limit of 0.08. Moore admitted he also tested positive for cocaine and another drug.

CROWN POINT

Trial postponed for man charged with dog-fighting

Problems with a defense expert prompted Lake County Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez to postpone next week's trial for Carlton Davis Jr., the Gary firefighter accused of staging animal-fighting contests.

Davis now is scheduled to go to trial April 21.

On May 29, 2006, dogs were confiscated from Davis' Calumet Township home after neighbors complained about the condition of the dogs, police have said. Lake County police found equipment on the property that they believe was used in dog-fighting.

Davis, who posted a $145,000 bond, pleaded not guilty to the charges.