UPDATE: The trial for Dennis Jelks, a 60-year-old man from Merrillville, has just commenced as he faces charges of murdering his estranged girlfriend, Angela Carrier, 37. Carrier was reported missing shortly after meeting Jelks on January 26, 2021, and her body was discovered just four days later, heightening the urgency of this case.
The court proceedings opened on Monday, with prosecutors describing a turbulent relationship between Jelks and Carrier, who was last seen alive leaving a Merrillville Menards store around 1:30 p.m. on that fateful day. After a breakup, Carrier visited the store with her family to retrieve her mail from Jelks. Authorities allege that Jelks lured Carrier away, claiming he needed to show her something, and she was never seen alive again.
The details are chilling: Carrier was found shot twice in the back of the head on January 30, 2021, near 30th Avenue and Jackson Street. A firearms expert determined the bullet casings recovered were from a .38-caliber or .357-caliber gun. Carrier’s family had previously voiced concerns about Jelks, alleging he was abusive and kept a firearm in his vehicle.
During the trial, Deputy Prosecutors Infinity Westberg and Chris Bruno presented evidence suggesting Jelks had a motive and opportunity. They stated he was the last person seen with Carrier and his cell phone records placed him near the location of her body shortly after she disappeared. In stark contrast, Jelks’ defense attorney Michael Lambert argued that the prosecution lacked direct or physical evidence linking Jelks to the crime, dismissing their narrative as fabrications based on circumstantial evidence and family testimonies.
In a dramatic moment, the courtroom heard a recorded phone call from Carrier’s stepfather, Shannon Smith, who confronted Jelks shortly after her disappearance. Smith expressed his suspicions, saying, “Dude, you got something to do with it.” The emotional weight of this case is palpable as Carrier’s family navigates the complexities of grief and justice.
Witness testimonies from Carrier’s family shed light on the couple’s volatile history. Carrier’s son, Caleb, described their relationship as “toxic,” emphasizing that they were in the process of splitting up when she vanished. Meanwhile, Joshua Harper, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Carrier since 2018, revealed he was left in a wheelchair after an accident and had been trying to reconnect with her when she stopped responding.
The prosecution is poised to highlight Jelks’s inconsistent statements and the critical cell phone data that contradicts his alibi. As the trial progresses, attention will focus on the evidence presented and the emotional testimonies from those who loved Carrier.
In the coming days, the courtroom will hear further evidence and witness accounts that could sway the jury’s decision in this high-stakes case. The implications are serious, with the potential of a significant prison sentence if Jelks is convicted. This trial is set to be a focal point in the community, with many awaiting justice for Angela Carrier.
Stay tuned for updates as this trial unfolds, revealing more about the tragic circumstances surrounding Angela Carrier’s death and the fight for justice that continues.
