Grand Jury Decides Not to File Charges Against Murder Suspect
By: Chris Veech
Updated: October 12, 2012
A southern Indiana man who once faced murder charges walks free. A Spencer County grand jury has decided not to file any charges against George Kjelsen. Kjelsen was arrested and originally charged with murder in March, but he was released a short time later.
Indiana State Police say Kjelsen and Rick Persohn were friends, but the two got into an argument outside their apartment complex in Dale on March 21. Sometime during the argument, investigators say Kjelsen shot his friend.
Shortly after the shooting, prosecutors said there were a lot of unanswered questions about the incident,so they decided to take the case to a grand jury. Family members of Persohn say the grand jury met this week, and it decided not to file any charges against Kjelsen. They say Kjelson claimed self-defense. While they are disappointed, they realize unless new evidence surfaces, this case is likely closed.
