Trial Begins for Merrillville Man Accused of Girlfriend’s Murder

UPDATE: The trial for Dennis Jelks, a 60-year-old man from Merrillville, Indiana, has just commenced, as he stands accused of murdering his estranged girlfriend, Angela Carrier, aged 37. The case, which dates back to January 2021, is poised to reveal shocking new details about their tumultuous relationship.

The courtroom erupted with tension as prosecutors presented evidence linking Jelks to Carrier’s tragic death, which authorities believe occurred shortly after she was last seen alive on January 26, 2021. Carrier, accompanied by family, went to a Menards store in Merrillville to retrieve belongings from Jelks. Just after 1:30 PM, Jelks allegedly convinced Carrier to leave with him, and she was never seen alive again.

In a devastating turn, Carrier’s body was discovered on January 30, shot twice in the back of the head near 30th Avenue and Jackson Street. Forensic experts estimate the bullets were fired from a .38-caliber or .357-caliber gun. Witnesses, including Carrier’s family, reported that Jelks had a history of abusive behavior and often kept a firearm in his vehicle.

Jelks has pleaded not guilty, maintaining that after leaving Menards, he accompanied Carrier to buy marijuana. He claimed two car doors opened at a nearby location, and Carrier entered a black car that sped away. However, Detective Nick Wardrip has dismissed Jelks’s alibi, citing a lack of evidence and cell phone data placing Jelks at the site where Carrier’s body was later found.

Cell phone records indicate that Jelks’s device pinged near the Menards and then near the crime scene shortly after Carrier’s disappearance, contradicting his account. Prosecutors, led by Deputy Prosecutors Infinity Westberg and Chris Bruno, argue that Jelks was the last person to see Carrier alive and emphasize the couple’s “long and tumultuous” relationship.

In court, Jelks’s defense attorney, Michael Lambert, countered that the prosecution lacks direct evidence linking his client to the crime. He accused authorities of fabricating a narrative based on circumstantial evidence, arguing that Jelks’s DNA was not found at the crime scene and that the timeline of Carrier’s death remains uncertain.

Emotional testimonies from Carrier’s family members painted a picture of a troubled relationship. Her son, Caleb Carrier, described Jelks as toxic, and her daughter, Shianne Carrier, revealed that Jelks would often call her mother after she attempted to reach out, raising suspicions about his involvement.

The trial has also brought to light chilling statements made by Jelks, including a remark to Shianne that “If I can’t have her, nobody can.” The chilling nature of these claims adds a layer of urgency to the proceedings, as the family grapples with the loss of a beloved member.

As the trial unfolds, the prosecution plans to present a recorded phone call from Carrier’s stepfather, Shannon Smith, who confronted Jelks shortly after her disappearance. Smith’s assertion, “Dude, you got something to do with it,” encapsulates the family’s fears and suspicions surrounding Jelks’s involvement.

The community and Carrier’s family are following this trial closely, with many hoping for justice. With the potential for new evidence and testimonies emerging, this trial is set to draw significant attention in the coming days.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.