Official charges are filed against the wife of a Posey County Commission candidate. Delene Schmitz is married to republican commission candidate, Carl Schmitz. She is accused of stealing a campaign sign supporting her husband's democratic opponent, John Sherretz.
Now Mrs. Schmitz faces a conversion charge. According to a probable cause affidavit, she confessed to the crime Saturday night. The affidavit shows Mrs. Schmitz told investigators, "it was a stupid mistake and I apologize tremendously."
The sign was allegedly taken from a yard in Poseyville. Now that homeowner, Jeff Voegel, is speaking out. Voegel says he saw a woman take a 'John Sherretz for Commissioner' sign from his yard Saturday and his home surveillance captured a vehicle description. Now Voegel says he wishes he didn't report the crime because the suspect's husband, Carl Schmitz, is a family friend.
"Carl is a friend and had I known it was [Delene] I would have called Carl instead of John. Carl is a good guy, he's got good family, they graduated with my brothers and sisters," explains Voegel. "I wish I'd have never seen her. Yes, she did something wrong, but I think it's gotten blown plumb out of proportion."
Voegel says he hopes the incident doesn't affect the race for county commissioner. "She knows she made a mistake, everybody knows she made a mistake, and hopefully we can move on and Carl don't drop out of the race because I think he and John would be a good race and the best man would win," says Voegel. "John and Carl are running against each other, not their wives. So I hope it doesn't affect the race, but I'm sure people will take it and it will."
Posey County Republican Party Chairman Greg Newman says the incident is an unfortunate event and the political party does not encourage tampering with campaign materials. At this time, Carl Schmitz is not commenting on the allegations against his wife. Delene Schmitz will appear in court later this week. A specific court date and time have yet to be scheduled.
Now Mrs. Schmitz faces a conversion charge. According to a probable cause affidavit, she confessed to the crime Saturday night. The affidavit shows Mrs. Schmitz told investigators, "it was a stupid mistake and I apologize tremendously."
The sign was allegedly taken from a yard in Poseyville. Now that homeowner, Jeff Voegel, is speaking out. Voegel says he saw a woman take a 'John Sherretz for Commissioner' sign from his yard Saturday and his home surveillance captured a vehicle description. Now Voegel says he wishes he didn't report the crime because the suspect's husband, Carl Schmitz, is a family friend.
"Carl is a friend and had I known it was [Delene] I would have called Carl instead of John. Carl is a good guy, he's got good family, they graduated with my brothers and sisters," explains Voegel. "I wish I'd have never seen her. Yes, she did something wrong, but I think it's gotten blown plumb out of proportion."
Voegel says he hopes the incident doesn't affect the race for county commissioner. "She knows she made a mistake, everybody knows she made a mistake, and hopefully we can move on and Carl don't drop out of the race because I think he and John would be a good race and the best man would win," says Voegel. "John and Carl are running against each other, not their wives. So I hope it doesn't affect the race, but I'm sure people will take it and it will."
Posey County Republican Party Chairman Greg Newman says the incident is an unfortunate event and the political party does not encourage tampering with campaign materials. At this time, Carl Schmitz is not commenting on the allegations against his wife. Delene Schmitz will appear in court later this week. A specific court date and time have yet to be scheduled.
