(Michigan City, IN) - A murder trial is back on in Michigan City.  Hakim Qualls, 20, has been returned to the La Porte County Jail where he was being held on a $1 million bond.  He’s accused in the shooting death of 18-year-old Dareon Brown in December of 2018.

 

According to court documents, Qualls was just 16 when he saw Brown standing outside a vehicle in the 200 block of North Karwick Road.  He allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Brown.

 

The court documents reveal there were issues between the two individuals.  Qualls claims self-defense in the shooting, but prosecutors alleged there was no arguing and not many words exchanged before the gun was pulled out was fired.

 

Court records disclosed the case previously ended in a mistrial and Qualls was eventually released on his recognizance while the prosecution and defense continued to review evidence in the case.  Additional legal challenges followed, along with COVID-19-related delays in the case.

 

At one point, Qualls allegedly violated the terms of his released and went missing but recently was taken back into custody.

 

A trial date has been set for April 10th.