NASHVILLE — A 13-year-old boy who authorities consider an accomplice in the Helmsburg home invasion and killing of an 84-year-old man faces nine charges including murder.

Blade Reed, the younger brother of co-defendant Bennie Reed, 17, appeared for his initial hearing in juvenile court Monday, and Brown County Prosecutor Jim Oliver is seeking to have the boy waived to adult court.

Brown Circuit Court Judge Judith Stewart ordered Blade Reed’s case open for public inspection. The waiver hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30.

The Republic’s policy is to not identify juvenile suspects unless they are charged as adults. However, an exception is being made in this case because of the severity of the crimes and the judge’s ruling on opening the records.

Blade Reed is accused of aiding his older brother with the Nov. 15 invasion of Richard “Dude” and Mary Voland’s northwestern Brown County home.

He is not suspected of firing the shot that killed Richard Voland, but Oliver said Blade Reed can be charged with murder because he allegedly aided in committing the crime.

Reed is being held at Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center until further action by the court.

At his initial hearing, Nashville attorney Jim Roberts was appointed to represent him as his public defender.

Nashville attorney Andy Szakaly is the public defender appointed to represent Bennie Reed.

‘Didn’t want to kill her’

The Reed boys rode their bicycles from their parents’ house less than a mile to the Volands’ home to steal alcoholic beverages, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Bennie Reed allegedly shot both Richard and Mary Voland during the invasion, and Richard Voland died the next day at an Indianapolis hospital.

Blade Reed cut Mary Voland’s neck with a “large butcher knife” from their parents’ kitchen, the affidavit says.

Both of the teens allegedly admitted to their involvement in the crimes.

Blade Reed said his brother told him they needed to kill Mary Voland because she was a witness to the shooting of Richard Voland, according to the affidavit.

Bennie Reed gave his younger brother the knife, and Blade Reed stood behind Mary Voland as she sat in a chair and cut her.

“He said he didn’t really want to kill her, or he would have cut her deeper,” says the affidavit, signed by Indiana State Police Detective Kevin Getz.

Mary Voland told investigators that the boy slipped a ski mask over his face before cutting her.

The charges

Blade Reed, the suspected 13-year-old accomplice in the Helmsburg home invasion and murder, faces nine criminal charges. Authorities allege:

Murder: The boy aided Bennie Reed, 17, in the home invasion that led to Richard "Dude" Voland's death.

Conspiracy to commit murder, a Class A felony: The boy intended to commit murder and agreed with another person to commit the murder.

Attempted murder, a Class A felony: The boy attempted to kill Mary Voland.

Aggravated battery, a Class B felony: The boy knowingly or intentionally inflicted injury on Mary Voland that created a risk of death.

Battery with a deadly weapon, a Class C felony: The boy knowingly touched Mary Voland in a rude, insolent or angry manner with a deadly weapon, a knife.

Attempted robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Class A felony: The boy knowingly or intentionally attempted to commit robbery by taking property from Richard Voland by using force or by threatening the use of force.

Burglary, a Class B felony: The boy broke into the home of another Brown County residence with the intent to commit theft.

Two counts of theft, both Class D felonies: The boy knowingly exerted unauthorized control over handguns owned by Richard Voland and another Brown County resident.

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