INDIANAPOLIS — A 17-year-old boy from Indianapolis could face prison time if he's found guilty of attempted murder.
On Wednesday, a judge entered a not guilty plea on Dalton Spalding's behalf and set bond at $250,000. In court, 13News learned Spalding already spent time locked up in a murder case.
It was in the alley between Tuxedo and Lasalle streets in April 2021 where police say Spalding, who was 13 at the time, shot and killed Demetri Swann while trying to rob the man. Court documents say Spalding, along with Marcus Dalton, went to Swann's home to rob him of guns, marijuana and an Xbox before he ran out of the house.
Police said Swann was shot and left to die in the alley behind his home.
According to court documents, Spalding was sent to juvenile detention, but what still isn't clear is how long he was there.
In July 2024, Spalding was arrested for multiple charges in Grant County, including armed robbery and auto theft. Two weeks later, he was taken into custody for the alleged incident, he was released to his mother. A little over two months later, Spalding would find himself back in police custody, this time in connection with attempted murder allegations.
Spalding is accused of shooting a man in the chest during an alleged gun trade on the south side of Indianapolis in September. Court documents say when he tried to rob the man of the gun, Spalding told him not try anything because he "already has two bodies." Currently, 13News can only confirm that Spalding is accused of killing one person, Demetri Swann.
13News reporter Chase Houle reached out to the Indiana Department of Correction to find out why he was released from custody so quickly after being convicted of murder, but never heard back.