The replacement of 146-year-old glass within a wooden door at the Bartholomew County Courthouse won’t be as costly as originally feared.
Since the courthouse opened in 1874, the glass had been part of the east entryway to the Superior Court 1 courtroom, located on the second floor of the courthouse.
But the glass was shattered Jan. 8 by convicted drug dealer Jermaine Ford. While being led out of the courtroom after receiving a 26-year prison term, Ford either used his shoulder or his foot to swing the door so hard that it smashed into a hallway wall, causing the tempered glass to shatter, Judge James Worton said.
After inspecting the damage, county maintenance supervisor Rick Trimpe said that type of glass is no longer manufactured, adding that any replacement will be very expensive. Following the incident, plexiglass was installed in the door as a temporary fix, Trimpe said.
But on Monday, Trimpe informed the Bartholomew County Commissioners that a local company, Tom Smith Glass Inc. of 550 Center St., has been able to obtain a permanent replacement for about $400. That’s far less expensive than tempered safety glass, which would have cost over $1,000, proprietor Tom Smith said.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
