FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A 20-year-old Fort Wayne man’s attempt to appeal his murder conviction and subsequent 80-year prison sentence failed this week.

A year ago, jurors found Charles Blair guilty of murdering 23-year-old Nilan Pearson in December 2023 while they were both attending a birthday party on Sherman Boulevard. He was sentenced to 60 years for murder, two years for criminal recklessness and 18 years for using a firearm in the crime.

Blair attended the party with a friend and two “unruly” underage girls, according to court records. When the group was told to leave, the men wanted to leave one of the girls behind.

Pearson followed the men to their car, arguing that they needed to take the girl with them, court documents show. Witnesses recounted Blair threatening Pearso

See Full Page