July 24 — ANDERSON — A judge has given the prosecution and defense until Aug. 22 to recommend psychiatrists for a mental health evaluation of Carl Roy Webb Boards, who is charged with the 2022 shooting death of Elwood police officer Noah Shahnavaz.
Boards’ attorneys, 42, Anderson filed a petition in Madison Circuit Court Division 3 for a declaration of intellectual disability. Judge Andrew Hopper gave the prosecution and council attorneys until Aug. 22 to provide the credentials and experience for two psychiatrists to conduct a mental evaluation of the councils.
The state is seeking the death penalty for Shahnavaz’s death on July 31, 2022.
Boards’ trial is scheduled for January 2025. Jury selection will begin on the 13th of that month and is expected to last two weeks. Authorities estimate the process will take two months.
Boards is accused of shooting 24-year-old Shahnavaz through the windshield of his police car in Elwood around 2 a.m. after Shahnavaz stopped a 2012 Buick LaCrosse near the intersection of Indiana 37 and County Road 1100 North. Police have not given a reason for the traffic stop.
Elwood and Madison County officers located the injured Shahnavaz and took lifesaving measures until medical personnel arrived.
Shahnavaz was taken by ambulance to Ascension St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood and later flown by helicopter to a hospital in Indianapolis, where he died.
About a half hour after the shooting, Hamilton County officers located the Buick and attempted to stop traffic, but the car continued south on Indiana 37. Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies chased the Buick and placed a tire deflating device near Indiana 37 and 146th Streets.
The Buick continued south on Interstate 69, where Fisher police employed two “precision immobilization techniques.” After the second attempt, the Buick hit a center wall. Officers took Boards into custody without further incident.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
