The jury deliberated five hours, following a seven-day trial, before reaching its verdict Tuesday night (Aug. 21). Blackburn will be sentenced Oct. 11, in Starke Circuit Court. He faces 45 to 65 years in prison on the murder conviction.

The case stemmed from a shooting outside a North Judson residence in March 2017. Responding to an emergency call, officers arrived and found a male victim who sustained a single gunshot to the face. The victim was later identified as Colgrove, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Early court records indicated Colgrove was shot in front of two witnesses and Blackburn's onetime co-defendent Agusta Hadden. Charges of assisting a criminal were later dropped against Hadden who was Colgrove's former girlfriend and later dated Blackburn.

The prosecution team called 15 witnesses in the trial, while the defense attorney called six witnesses, including the defendant. Blackburn admitted to the shooting, but claimed self defense. On the evening of the murder, Colgrove had followed Blackburn and Hadden to the North Judson residence in his truck. Testimony revealed Colgrove had previously vandalized Blackburn's truck and sent harassing text messages. Prosecution testimony noted Colgrove was shot immediately upon exiting his truck; and pointed out that Blackburn fled the scene, disposed of the gun, and ran from police when discovered the next day at a Mishawaka hotel.

The State of Indiana was represented by Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mary Ryan, while Blackburn was represented by defense attorney Caroline Briggs.

Colgrove was a 1999 graduate of Winamac Community High School where he played soccer and baseball. He lived and worked in Knox at the time of his death.