Cody Garman convicted in death of former council member

Cody Garman David Swartley

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Late Thursday night, a jury found Cody Garman guilty of killing 66-year-old David Swartley in May 2017.

The jury found Garman guilty of involuntary manslaughter after deliberating approximately 8 hours, according to our reporting partners at The Elkhart Truth.

The jury could have found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter or reckless homicide.

Garman will serve a maximum of six years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 19.

Swartley was found naked and unconscious in a vehicle in the 24000 block of Ne-Ce-Dah Drive around 8:30 a.m. May 25, 2017. He was pronounced deceased that evening.

Garman admitted to kicking and hitting Swartley, then leaving him in his vehicle in a secluded area.

The prosecution argued Swartley might have lived if Garman had gotten him medical attention.

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