It's All Over:

Harris sentenced to maximum under plea agreement

Determining that the aggravating circumstances far outweighed the mitigating factors in the State vs. Lisa Harris, Crawford County Circuit Court Judge Justin B. Mills sentenced Harris to 8-3/4 years to the Indiana Dept. of Corrections — the maximum she could receive.

Harris, 60, was originally charged with murder in connection with the August 2020 shooting death of her husband, Michael Harris, 56, at a Patoka Lake area property the Newburgh couple owned. Lisa Harris said she shot her husband in self defense.

Clarion News, Princeton, IN – October 25, 2023

Update

Murder charge dropped, Newburgh woman awaiting sentence on lesser charge in husband's death.

EVANSVILLE — A Newburgh woman who admitted to shooting and killing her husband will see a murder charge dismissed in exchange for her pleading guilty to aggravated battery, court records show.

The Indiana State Police arrested Lisa Harris, 60, in August 2020 on a preliminary charge of murder after she shot and killed her husband, 56-year-old Michael “Scott” Harris, in Crawford County, Indiana.

According to Crawford County court records, Harris pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony, in July. Harris went to trial April 26, 2023, but the proceedings ended in a hung jury.

She was scheduled to go before a second jury in July of 2023, but she abruptly changed her plea of not guilty to guilty. According to court records, she signed a plea agreement in which she admitted to committing the crime of aggravated battery and accepted any just sentence under Indiana law.

Harris' plea agreement states that she will undergo DNA testing, pay $150 in court costs and pay a $100 public defender fee. While a judge was scheduled to sentence Harris on Monday, online court records not yet outline the exact term of her imprisonment.

According to public records, Harris could face a maximum sentence of six years, which includes credit for time served in jail while she awaited trial.

Evansville Courier & Press, Evansville, IN – September 25, 2023

State police investigating Crawford County shooting death

Indiana State Police responded to a shooting Friday evening, August 28, that resulted in the death of a Newburgh resident. At about 8:50 p.m. the Indiana State Police responded to a shooting that occurred at 2424 Dillard Road near the entrance of Newton Stewart Patoka Lake State Recreation Area.

Preliminary investigation shows Lisa Harris, 57, shot Michael Harris, 56, both from Newburgh, said police.

Michael Harris was treated for serious injuries at the scene by Crawford County EMS and transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital where Michael Harris succumbed to his injuries. 

Lisa Harris was incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail for a preliminary charge of homicide.

The investigation is ongoing.

Dubois County Free Press, IN – August 31, 2020

An Affidavit for Probable Cause provides details on a Crawford County shooting incident where a Newburgh woman was accused of murder.

Indiana State Police Detective Ryan Conrad in an Affidavit for Probable Cause details the reasons why he believes that on Aug. 28 in Crawford County, Indiana, 57-year-old Lisa Harris of Newburgh committed Murder.

On Friday, Aug. 28, Detective Conrad responded to a reported shooting at a campground located near Patoka Lake in Crawford County.

Lisa was the caller reporting the incident. In excerpts of the 911 call that were noted in the affidavit, Harris is quoted, saying she had shot Michael Harris.

When asked "what was going on before that" by the 911 operator, Lisa responded, "he hit me...[inaudable]...three times this month."

The affidavit says when the 911 operator asked if Michael was armed, Lisa replied, "nope."

Detective Conrad says that when he arrived at the scene, several other law enforcement agencies were already present. He was told that both Lisa and Michael were in "a complete state of nudity" when they were found.

By the time Detective Conrad had arrived, he says Michael had already been transported to the hospital by ambulance, but that before his transportation, he was found on the floor of the camper hallway in "severe distress."

A Crawford County Sheriff's Deputy told Detective Conrad that Michael said Lisa had shot him. Michael later died at the Jasper Memorial Hospital due to his injuries.

Meanwhile, a warranted search was granted to inspect the camper. Detective Conrad was told that a single 9-millimeter bullet was lodged in the wall of the camper in the bedroom area and that a 9-millimeter pistol was also found on the middle of the bed.

Another search warrant was applied, allowing Detective Conrad to document Lisa's physical injuries, which he says revealed no cuts, abrasions, bruising, or red markings that would indicate that any recent fights had taken place before the shooting happened.

Lisa was taken to the Crawford County Jail on Detective Conrad's belief that she had committed murder. 

An autopsy was performed on Michael, which showed that he died due to blood loss from a bullet wound.

Princeton Daily Clarion, Princeton, IN - September 4, 2020

Trial date set for Newburgh woman accused of killing her husband

CRAWFORD CO, Ind - A trial date has been set for a Newburgh woman accused of shooting and killing her husband.

57-year-old Lisa Harris will go to trial on February 8. She is charged with homicide in the death of 56-year-old Michael Harris.

Indiana State Police say Lisa Harris shot her husband at a house in Birdseye on August 28th.

Michael Harris later died at Jasper Memorial Hospital. Lisa Harris is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail.

(This story was originally published on November 10, 2020)

(WEHT-TV14 News, Evansville, IN

Michael “Scott” Harris, 56, of  Newburgh, IN, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020. He was born September 10, 1963, in Riverton, Wyoming, to Kenneth Earl and Judith Marie (Frnka) Harris.

Michael worked in the oil and gas industry for many years as an engineer. He directed several businesses with his father, brother, and son in the industry which spanned  the globe. His accomplishments revolutionized his industry, drawing praise across the world. Men often wonder what the significance of their lives will be; however, Scott never had to wonder as he was surrounded by the magnitude and success of all his endeavors.

He will be terribly missed; however, his memory will forever be cherished.

He is survived by his parents, Kenneth Earl Harris and Judith Marie Harris of Olney, IL; son, Matthew Ryan Harris of Newburgh, IN; daughter, Maria Elizabeth Harris of Bowling Green, KY; wife, Lisa Harris; and brother, Todd Keith Harris of Bixby, OK.

Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Titzer Family Funeral Homes, 510 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, IN

Titzer Family Funeral Home, Newburgh, IN – September 2, 2020