Mistrial Shocks Court: Ex-IU Student Assault Case Derails
What Happened in the IU Student Assault Case? A Simple Guide
The Big News: A Trial Ended Without a Decision
On August 24, 2026, a court case in Monroe County, Indiana, came to a surprising pause. A jury had been listening to evidence for three days about a former Indiana University student named Noah A. Apgar. But after talking it over for almost eight hours, the jurors told the judge they could not agree on a verdict.
What Is a Mistrial? (ELI5 Explanation)
Important Point: What "Mistrial" Means
Imagine you and your friends are trying to pick a movie to watch. Everyone has to agree on one movie. If you talk for hours and still can’t all say "yes" to the same choice, the movie night is canceled. You don’t watch a movie, but you also don’t say "we hate all movies." You just try again later.
That’s what a mistrial is. The jury couldn’t all agree "guilty" or "not guilty." So the judge hits the "reset button." The person isn’t found innocent, and they aren’t found guilty. They get a new trial later.
- Judge: Valeri Haughton (Monroe County Circuit Court)
- Jury deliberation time: Almost 8 hours
- Result: Jury was "hopelessly deadlocked" (could not reach a unanimous decision)
- Outcome: Mistrial declared → New trial will be scheduled (date not set yet)
The Charges: What Was Apgar Accused Of?
The charges come from two separate days in September 2024, when Apgar was a student at Indiana University Bloomington.
Allegations from Two Women
Two different women, who were also IU students, reported to Indiana University Police that Apgar had assaulted them.
The Specific Charges (5 Total Counts)
| Charge Category | Number of Counts |
|---|---|
| Rape | 5 counts |
| Strangulation | Included in charges |
| Criminal Confinement | Included in charges |
Simple Definitions
- Rape: Forcing someone to do sexual things without their permission.
- Strangulation: Squeezing someone’s neck so they can’t breathe.
- Criminal Confinement: Holding someone against their will (not letting them leave).
Apgar’s Response and Current Status
- Plea: Apgar pleaded "not guilty" to all charges.
- Bail/Bond: Set at $250,000.
- Release: He paid the bond ("bonded out") and is not in jail while waiting for the next trial.
What Happens Next? (Step-by-Step)
- New Trial Date Set → The court will pick a new date for the first case.
- Second Trial Planned → There will be a separate trial for the second woman’s case.
- No date yet
- No judge assigned yet
- Process Repeats → New juries will be chosen, evidence presented again, and new deliberations held.
Important Things to Remember
Key Legal Principles (Explained Simply)
- Presumption of Innocence: In the U.S., everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty in court. A mistrial doesn’t change this.
- Unanimous Jury Required: In Indiana (and most states), all 12 jurors must agree for a guilty or not-guilty verdict.
- Double Jeopardy Doesn’t Apply Here: Because the first trial didn’t finish with a verdict, the government can try again. This is not "double jeopardy."
- Separate Trials for Separate Victims: Each woman’s case gets its own trial. This is common when charges involve different incidents.
Quick Summary
- Who: Noah A. Apgar, former IU student
- What: Trial for sexual assault charges involving two women (Sept 2024)
- When: 3-day trial ended Aug 24, 2026
- Result: Mistrial — jury deadlocked after ~8 hours
- Next: New trial for first case (date TBD); second case also pending (no date/judge)
- Status: Apgar pleaded not guilty, posted $250K bond, currently free
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does a mistrial mean Noah Apgar is innocent?
No. A mistrial only means the jury couldn’t agree. It is not a "not guilty" verdict. He is still presumed innocent until a new trial reaches a verdict, but the charges are not dropped.
2. Why are there two separate trials?
Because the allegations involve two different women on two different days. Courts often separate cases like this so each jury focuses on one set of events.
3. Can the prosecution try again after a mistrial?
Yes. Since there was no final verdict, the Fifth Amendment’s "double jeopardy" protection (which prevents being tried twice for the same crime) does not apply. A retrial is standard.
4. What does "bonded out" mean?
Apgar paid $250,000 (or a bail bondsman paid it for a fee) as a promise to return for future court dates. If he doesn’t show up, he loses the money. He is free while awaiting the new trial.
5. How long until the new trial?
No date has been set yet. The court will schedule it based on judge availability, lawyer schedules, and court calendar. It could be months away.