
HARTFORD CITY, Ind. (9-1-22) — A Blackford County woman, Brandi Bare, charged in a crash that killed two members of a Montpelier family has failed in a bid to have her trial moved to another county.
Bare (46) of Montpelier, is charged with six felonies:
- two counts each of causing death when driving while intoxicated
- reckless homicide
- causing serious bodily injury when driving while intoxicated.
Prosecutors allege Bare was intoxicated on the evening of June 2, when her car crashed into a home at 165 W. Blaine Street in Montpelier.
At the request of prosecutors, her bond was increased from $5,000 to $50,000.
The two most serious charges the Blackford County woman faces are Level 4 felonies carrying maximum 12-year prison terms.The house’s owner, Jerry A. “Jake” Michael (73) was killed, as was his great-grandson, Jenson Reynolds (5).
Two other family members were also injured :
- Jenson’s two year old sister
- their father

Bare’s trial, in Blackford Superior Court, is set to begin on Sept. 13.
Facebook and Change.org Petitions
Judge John N. Barry denied defense attorney Jarred Eib’s motion for a change of venue.
Eib reported that “family members of the decedents… have engaged in a campaign via Facebook to publicize this cause in an effort to influence this case.”
It noted a Facebook posting that called for supporters to attend a pre-trial hearing “to come and help us serve justice!”
After her arrest, more than 10,000 people signed an online petition asking that Bare be held without bond.
FACEBOOK page: Justice for Jake and Jenson, has over 2,100 members, according to the page –
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