Trial Begins for Merrillville Man Accused of Ex-Girlfriend’s Murder

UPDATE: A high-stakes trial has just opened in Merrillville for Dennis Jelks, 60, who faces charges of murdering his estranged girlfriend, Angela Carrier, 37, in January 2021. This case, steeped in allegations of domestic abuse and deceit, is poised to captivate the community and has far-reaching implications for both families involved.

The courtroom drama began on Monday, with both sides presenting starkly contrasting narratives. Prosecutors allege that Jelks is responsible for Carrier’s tragic death, which occurred shortly after she was last seen alive on January 26, 2021, when she visited a local Menards with her family to retrieve personal belongings from Jelks following their breakup. By January 30, 2021, Carrier’s body was discovered, shot twice in the back of the head, near 30th Avenue and Jackson Street.

The timeline of events is chilling. According to court documents, Jelks convinced Carrier to leave the store with him around 1:30 p.m. that day, after claiming he could not find her mail. Witnesses and police records suggest Jelks was the last person to see her alive. A firearms expert indicated that the bullet casings found at the crime scene matched a .38-caliber or .357-caliber gun, which Jelks allegedly kept in his trunk.

As the trial unfolds, the prosecution, led by Deputy Prosecutors Infinity Westberg and Chris Bruno, emphasizes the couple’s tumultuous history, highlighting Jelks as both the last person seen with Carrier and a man known for his abusive behavior. They argue that Jelks’ cell phone data, which pinged from Menards to the location where Carrier’s body was found, indicates his direct involvement.

In stark contrast, Jelks’ defense attorney, Michael Lambert, insists that the evidence against his client is circumstantial at best, claiming there is no direct or physical evidence linking him to Carrier’s death. Lambert describes the prosecution’s case as a fabrication built on “tidbits” of cell phone data and hearsay from Carrier’s relatives.

An emotional moment in court came when Shannon Smith, Carrier’s stepfather, recounted a phone call he had with Jelks shortly after her disappearance. He expressed his suspicions directly, declaring, “Dude, you got something to do with it.” The tension in the courtroom was palpable as Smith stated that he never saw Carrier again after she left with Jelks.

Witnesses are expected to testify that Carrier had a “toxic” relationship with Jelks, which her son, Caleb Carrier, corroborated. He revealed that they were in the process of breaking up and that the couple’s interactions had been filled with conflict. Throughout the trial, the emotional weight of Carrier’s absence is anticipated to resonate deeply with the jury, as family members testify about the fallout from her tragic death.

As the trial progresses, Jelks’ inconsistent statements regarding the events of that fateful day will be scrutinized. Notably, he claimed to have taken Carrier to buy marijuana before she vanished, a narrative that investigators found dubious. Cell phone records reveal that after leaving Menards, Jelks’ device was traced to the vicinity of where Carrier’s body was later recovered, raising serious questions about his alibi.

With the trial’s opening arguments now complete, both sides are poised to present their cases, and the courtroom will undoubtedly be a focal point for community members seeking justice for Angela Carrier. The emotional toll on her family and the wider implications of domestic violence are crucial elements that will shape discussions surrounding this case.

WHAT’S NEXT: As the trial continues, the public will closely follow the testimonies and evidence presented, with the potential for shocking revelations. The jury’s decision could set a precedent for how cases of domestic violence are prosecuted in the region. Stay tuned for updates as this significant trial unfolds.