Clarence Hoosier
August 2, 2006
Indianapolis, Indiana

WISH-TV Channel 8
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
August 3, 2006

Shooting Victim Leaves Behind Church Family

Aug 3, 2006 04:07 PM
By Jay Hermacinski
News 8 @ 6:00

The cab driver who was shot and killed on the east side
Wednesday night was also a deacon at a church on the near
west side.
Fifty-seven-year-old Clarence (Chip) Hoosier was a husband, a
father, and a grandfather.  But his family didn't stop there. As
deacon at St. Bridget's Church Hoosier also had a church family.

"I really don't know how we will exist without him, but I know we
will go on. It will be hard," said church member Norma Wilson.

Police say Hoosier was shot and killed in his Yellow Cab around
9:45 Wednesday night. Detectives say robbery was the motive.
They are now searching for three suspects.

 "It's frustrating and it's disappointing to us as a police
department that someone felt the need to assassinate a man for
pocket change," Indianapolis Police Chief Mike Spears said.

Friends say Hoosier's job as a cab driver turned into his ministry.
He donated his time and taxi to take those in need to the doctor,
the hospital, to church or school. The deacon also used his taxi
to keep the hungry fed. Chip Hoosier was in charge of the food
pantry. He would stock the shelves, help fill the bags and deliver
the food to those in need.

"He never wanted to see anyone go hungry. Chip would give you
the last penny in his pocket if he thought you were hungry," said
Wilson.

Friends say Deacon Hoosier's death affects more than his family
and his church. They say it will affect an entire community of
people who relied on his kindness and his care.

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The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
August 7, 2006

Teen arrested in cabbie's death

By Vic Ryckaert

Police arrested a suspect today in the slaying of a cabdriver,
whose death was part of a spate of killings that have shaken
Indianapolis.

Jamaar Bess, 18, 11500 block of Taftwood Drive, was charged
with murder and robbery, Indianapolis police announced this
morning.

Clarence Hoosier, 57, was gunned down in his cab Wednesday
in the 3900 block of North Butler Avenue. Detectives suspected
he was shot as part of a robbery.

Police are seeking at least two other suspects in the killing, IPD
spokesman Maj. Lloyd Crowe said today.

He worked 25 years at Yellow Cab, which offered a $10,000
reward for information leading to the conviction of Hoosier's
killer. It was not immediately known if the reward led to the
arrest.

Hoosier's death was the first of at least 11 killings since
Wednesday. The outbreak prompted police to put extra officers
on the street and local officials to search to ways to stem
violence.

Hoosier and his wife had three children.

Police have not released details about the evidence that links
Bess to Hoosier's slaying.

In October, Bess, who also goes by the name Jamaar Yates, and
a 14-year-old were arrested for resisting law enforcement and
battery on a police officer.

Bess, police records show, has been arrested four times as a
juvenile for shoplifting, larceny, battery and disorderly conduct.

In February 2002, Bess, then 13, was arrested at the New
Directions Academy, a boot camp-style school, for refusing to
follow the rules and being belligerent to staff, police records
show.

At age 14, Bess was arrested for battery, tresspassing and
disorderly conduct in connection with an attack on a 14-year-old
boy near IPS 61, 4326 Patricia St., according to records. Two
other boys took part in the assualt.

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WTHR-TV Channel 13
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
August 11, 2006

Suspect denies role in taxi driver's murder

Aug 11, 2006 04:25 PM
Steve Jefferson/CrimeBeat

Indianapolis - Jamaar Bess, the man accused of killing taxi
driver Clarence Hoosier last week, appeared in court Friday.

As courtline deputies escorted him back to his holding cell, he
told Eyewitness News he did not kill Hoosier.

At the same hour, Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson
announced plans to staff undercover and uniformed deputies in
cabs throughout the county.

The Cop-n-a-Cab is a partnership with Yellow Cab. Anderson
expects other taxi companies to jump on board. The deputies
won't use the cabs to pull over suspects but rather call in
suspicious activity.

The real cab drivers will serve as the eyes and ears of law
enforcement officers while driving throughout Marion County.
The Cop-n-a-Cab starts immediately.

Snce December, more than a half-dozen cab drivers have fallen
victim to robberies, including former cabbie Jamal Steward, shot
in the head.

"Driver safety is the number one issue and the number priority.
They are trying to do a job just like anyone else in the
community," said Sergio Gonzalez-Piriz, Yellow Cab.

Cab drivers Jamal Steward and Clarence Hoosier had almost
cash on them when they were attacked. Because of technology,
most drivers carry no more than $20 on them. "The majority of
fares are paid with a credit card or charge accounts with a
company or things along those lines," said Gonzalez-Piriz.

Now Sheriff Anderson plans to put undercover and uniformed
deputies behind the wheel of Yellow Cabs. "We have basically
had enough of this," said Anderson. They will help keep an eye
out in neighborhoods. "If you have got any thoughts about doing
harm to these cab drivers, it may be a policeman in that car."

Taxi drivers say the cop in a cab could not come at a better time,
especially after losing Clarence Hoosier. "After the last week that
we have gone through we definitely as a community have to step
up," said Gonzalez-Piriz.

It's a step that will not only keep cab drivers safe, but also
provide safety for their customers.

"They are not going to be easy prey for people who intend to do
wrong," said Anderson.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WRTV-TV Channel 6
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
August 18, 2006

Second Teen Arrested In Cab Driver's Death

POSTED: 4:20 pm EDT August 18, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS -- A second teenager has been arrested in
connection with the Aug. 2 shooting death of an Indianapolis cab
driver, police said.

Herbert Johnson, 17, faces charges of murder, robbery,
conspiracy to commit robbery and criminal confinement in the
death of Clarence Hoosier.

Authorities said Hoosier, 57, was shot in his cab in the 3900
block of North Butler Avenue.

Last week, Jamar Bess, 17, was arrested in connection with
Hoosier's death. Police said they didn't believe Bess was the
triggerman, but they believed Bess was among three people who
were involved.

Bess is being held without opportunity for bail. His trial is
scheduled to start Oct. 30.

Hoosier was one of 15 people who were found slain in
Indianapolis from Aug. 2 to Aug. 11.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WRTV-Channel 6
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
August 23, 2006

Teen Pleads Guilty In Connection With Cab Driver's Death

POSTED: 11:16 am EDT August 23, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS -- One of three teenagers arrested in connection
with the shooting death of an Indianapolis cab driver has pleaded
guilty to two charges.

Rodney Harris, 16, pleaded guilty to Tuesday to adult charges of
robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Police said cab driver Clarence Hoosier was robbed and fatally
shot on Aug. 2 when he drove to the 3900 block of North Butler
Avenue to pick up a fare.

Jamaar Bess, 18, and Herbert Johnson, 17, have also been
charged in the case. They have both entered not guilty pleas.

Hoosier's death was one of 15 homicides discovered in
Indianapolis from Aug. 2 to Aug. 11.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
February 26, 2007

Suspect pleads to killing taxi driver

By Vic Ryckaert

An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to murder and robbery in
connection with the August shooting death of cab driver
Clarence Hoosier.

Jamaar Bess faces a maximum of 55 years in prison under
terms of a plea agreement filed Friday in Marion Superior Court.
Judge Robert Altice will decide whether to accept the terms of
the agreement during a hearing on March 21.

Bess and two other men are accused of shooting Hoosier, 57, to
death in a Yellow Cab in the 3900 block of North Butler Avenue
on Aug. 2.

Hoosier worked for 25 years for Yellow Cab and was the father
of three.

Call Star reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2761.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jamaar Bess, accused in the murder of Clarence Hoosier

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WISH-TV Channel 8
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
March 14, 2007

Police Going Back in Cabs

March 14, 2007 02:35 PM
By Marlee Ginter

INDIANAPOLIS - A cab driver's murder last August sparked new
approaches to police investigations and Wednesday night that
driver, Clarence Hoosier, is being honored.

"I feel that there is enough pain and hurt that goes around," said
Clarence's sister Michele Hoosier.

Not a second goes by that Michele is not thinking about her
brother Clarence, known to most as Chip. The 57-year-old
church deacon and grandfather, who ran a food pantry was
gunned down at work, driving a cab.

"I don't understand how someone could take his life. He would
have given them any amount of money that they would have
asked for," she said.

His death happened more than seven months ago. There are no
signs of the crime now, but it certainly has not been forgotten.

"But then just to execute the driver is just unbelievable," said
IMPD Lt. Doug Scheffel.

Metro police have not forgotten either. They are putting
undercover officers in cabs once again.  You may remember that
strategy under Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson. When the
department merged with IPD, Cops in Cabs took the back burner
for a bit, but not anymore.

"The undercover officers have a variety of vehicles they can use.
This would just be one more that we use. It kind of keeps the bad
guys on their toes," Scheffel said.

Meantime the community is honoring Hoosier with a Rose
Award, an honor recognizing people considered ambassadors to
their companies and the city. Michele will receive it in her
brother's honor. Perhaps a helping heart runs in the family, she
already has a Rose Award of her own.

"It's bittersweet. I wish he could be here in person to accept the
award for himself but I know that he's with me," she said.

Officers will use the cabs to combat various crimes from drug
busts to warrant sweeps. Police say the merger forcing things to
be put on hold actually helped in this case, possibly throwing
criminals off to this new strategy.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WTHR-TV Channel 13
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
June 4, 2007

Eighteen-year-old pleads guilty to killing cab driver

June 4, 2007 02:53 PM

Indianapolis - An Indianapolis teen faces up to 85 years in prison 
after pleading guilty to killing a cab driver during a robbery last 
summer.

Eighteen-year-old Herbert Johnson reached the plea agreement 
on murder and robbery charges shortly before his trial was set to 
begin Monday morning.

Clarence Hoosier was shot to death in his yellow cab in August 
of 2006.

A judge will sentence Johnson on June 27th.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WRTV-TV Channel 6
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
June 13, 2007

Man Gets 55 Years For Cab Driver's Killing

POSTED: 4:56 pm EDT June 13, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man was sentenced Wednesday to 55 years 
in prison for the 2006 shooting death of an Indianapolis cab 
driver.

Jamaar Bess pleaded guilty in February to murder and felony 
robbery in connection with the Aug. 2 death of Clarence Hoosier.

Police said Bess and two other teens robbed Clarence Hoosier 
when the cab driver drove to the 3900 block of North Butler 
Avenue to pick up a fare. Hoosier was shot during the incident, 
police said.

Bess was 18 when the shooting happened, police said.

Two teens besides Bess were charged in the case. One of them, 
Rodney Harris, then 16, pleaded guilty last year to adult charges 
of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Hoosier's death was one of 15 homicides discovered in 
Indianapolis from Aug. 2 to Aug. 11.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
June 27, 2007

Teen gets 75 years in Indy cab-driver murder

By Jon Murray

A Marion Superior Court judge this afternoon gave a 75-year 
prison sentence to a teen pegged as the shooter in the killing of 
cab driver Clarence Hoosier.

Herbert Johnson, 18, denied firing the fatal shot during a robbery 
in August 2006 on Indianapolis' Eastside. He tried to withdraw his 
guilty plea to murder and robbery, but Judge Robert Altice 
rejected the request, saying evidence and statements from two 
other suspects backed up prosecutors' claim.

Johnson signed the plea agreement with prosecutors this month, 
and the deal allowed a sentence of 45 to 85 years.

Altice also sentenced Rodney Harris, 17, to 30 years this 
afternoon. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, 
and faced a potential penalty of 20 to 50 years. A third suspect, 
Jamaar C. Bess, 19, received a 55-year prison sentence June 13 
for murder and robbery.

Hoosier -- nicknamed Chip -- was a 47-year-old father of three 
and an active church leader. He died after three teenage boys 
called a cab Aug. 2, then dragged him out of the van in the 3900 
block of North Butler Avenue and shot him in the chest. They 
took $30.

"For you, life's only worth $30," said Mikel Hoosier, Chip 
Hoosier's son, during the hearing. "I hope that $30 haunts you for 
the rest of your life. That's what your life is worth to me: $30."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
June 28, 2007

2 get total of 105 years in slaying of cabdriver

3rd youth received 55-year sentence earlier

By Jon Murray

Three teens who took part in the slaying of an Indianapolis 
cabdriver have been sentenced to a combined 160 years in 
prison.

Even so, only the 18-year-old pegged as the shooter will remain 
in prison until he approaches the age of their victim. Clarence A. 
"Chip" Hoosier was 57 when he died in August in an ambush 
robbery.

Marion Superior Court Judge Robert Altice sentenced the final 
two suspects Wednesday, giving 75 years to Herbert Johnson 
and 30 years to Rodney Harris, 17, an accomplice. Indiana 
commonly gives inmates credit for good behavior that effectively 
means they serve half their sentences.

Earlier this month, the judge sentenced another accomplice, 
Jamaar C. Bess, 19, to 55 years.

Harris and Bess told prosecutors that Johnson pulled the trigger, 
but he disputed their account Wednesday. He asked to withdraw 
from his guilty plea to murder and robbery, which he entered the 
day of his trial.

"I was signing a plea to something I didn't do," Johnson said. He 
accused prosecutors and his attorney, Karen Brogan, of 
pressuring him.

Altice rejected the idea.

"I thought you did pull the trigger, based on all the evidence I've 
seen. I'm not going to let you withdraw this plea."

Hoosier, a father of three and a church leader, responded to a 
call Aug. 2 in the 3900 block of North Butler Avenue. He was 
dragged out of the van, and Johnson shot him in the chest, 
Deputy Prosecutor Denise Robinson said.

The robbery netted $30 and Hoosier's cell phone.

"You didn't give him a chance to give you his money. . . . (But) 
you're asking this court to give you a chance," Hoosier's widow, 
Brenda, testified before Johnson was sentenced. "I need you to 
stay in jail as long as possible. That is my justice."

The maximum sentence possible under Johnson's plea 
agreement was 85 years. Bess received the maximum available, 
and he notified the court Wednesday that he would appeal.

Harris faced up to 50 years, but Altice noted that prosecutors 
would have had difficulty building a case without his cooperation. 
He led them to the gun, which he had hidden in an attic.

Harris apologized for the pain he had caused. After he was 
sentenced, his mother, Stacy, approached several Hoosier 
family members.

"I'm so sorry," she said.

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