UPDATE: The trial for Dennis Jelks, a 60-year-old man from Merrillville, began on Monday as he faces charges for the murder of his estranged girlfriend, Angela Carrier, aged 37. Carrier was last seen alive on January 26, 2021, and her body was discovered days later, igniting a fierce courtroom battle that exposes a history of alleged abuse and turmoil.
Jelks has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge stemming from Carrier’s death. The couple’s relationship was described by prosecutors as “long and tumultuous,” with Jelks being the last person seen with Carrier before she disappeared. Prosecutors presented evidence that Carrier’s body was found shot twice in the back of the head on January 30, 2021, near 30th Avenue and Jackson Street. A firearms expert linked the bullets to a .38-caliber or .357-caliber weapon.
On the day of her disappearance, Carrier visited the Merrillville Menards to retrieve her mail from Jelks. He reportedly convinced her to leave with him around 1:30 p.m., after which she was never seen again. Authorities emphasize that Jelks’s cellphone records placed him near the site where Carrier’s body was eventually located just an hour later.
Detective Nick Wardrip expressed skepticism about Jelks’s claims, noting inconsistencies in his story and a lack of evidence to support his alibi. Jelks maintained that he dropped Carrier off after buying marijuana from a dealer known as “Tone,” but records show his phone pinged near the crime scene shortly thereafter.
In court, prosecutors revealed that Carrier’s family had reported a pattern of abuse. Her son, Caleb Carrier, stated that the relationship was toxic, and her stepfather, Shannon Smith, recorded a tense phone call with Jelks shortly after her disappearance, accusing him of involvement. “Dude, you got something to do with it,” Smith said during the call.
The defense, led by attorney Michael Lambert, argued that prosecutors lack direct or physical evidence linking Jelks to the murder. They described the case as built on circumstantial evidence and witness accounts, while asserting that Jelks’s DNA was not found at the crime scene. Lambert suggested that Carrier struggled with substance abuse and often went missing for extended periods.
As the trial unfolds, key witnesses are expected to testify, including Joshua Harper, who had an on-and-off relationship with Carrier since 2018. Harper recalled that he was in a wheelchair at the time of her disappearance and had planned to meet her later that day, raising further questions about Jelks’s account.
The courtroom drama is drawing significant attention, as the tragic circumstances surrounding Carrier’s death highlight issues of domestic violence and the complexities of abusive relationships. With emotions running high, many are awaiting the outcome of this high-stakes trial.
Next, the court will hear further testimonies, and updates are expected as the trial continues. The community remains on edge, hoping for justice for Angela Carrier.
