Suspect goes to trial; charged in six-year cold murder case

LA PORTE, Ind. - 

A Michigan City man is set to go on trial Monday for a murder case that went cold for years. Charles Gerron is charged with the murder of a 17-year-old at a party six years ago.

NeKeisha Hodges-Hawkins was shot and killed in Michigan City in July 2011. More than five years later, a tip lead to the arrest of Gerron in December 2016.

Gerron was scheduled to stand trial in June, but entered into a plea agreement instead that would reduce his charge.

That plea was rejected by the judge.

The victim’s father, Kalvon Hawkins, said he was surprised the plea was rejected.  When it was, he said all he wants for his family and his daughter is a fair trial.

"No I'm not going to let this go. I'm going to fight until I can't fight no more. I ain't going to stop fighting,” he said.

The trial will start at 9 a.m. in La Porte County Superior Court.