Public defenders have been appointed for the Goshen man and his alleged accomplice arrested in connection to a cold case murder dating back to 1975.

Fred Bandy Jr. of Goshen and John Wayne Lehman of Auburn appeared in Noble County court, Wednesday, Feb. 8, for their initial hearings.

The two men are charged with first-degree murder for the death of 17-year-old Laurel Jean Mitchell, whose body was found in the Elkhart River in Noble County, one day after her parents reported he missing.

The Goshen News reports that since the crime was committed in 1975, the 1975 statute is also applied, which allows for a charge of life in prison.

Both men are expected back in court, in late April, for their pre-trial conferences.