Columbus, Ind. — Jury deliberations commenced Thursday morning in the Bartholomew Superior Court 1, marking a pivotal phase in the trial of Anthony Carter, a 50-year-old Indianapolis resident accused of the murder of his former girlfriend, Ashley E. Neville.
Neville, 40, was found deceased in her home on County Road 650S during the early morning of April 16, 2023. She had previously obtained a restraining order against Carter, who was charged with her murder amid turbulent accusations of fatal domestic violence.
The case took a significant turn as the prosecution and defense concluded their presentations. Notably, Carter’s public defender, Greg Long, opted not to call any witnesses, resting the case quickly and shifting to closing arguments.
Throughout the trial, both parties acknowledged Carter’s presence at the scene and involvement in the events leading to Neville’s death. The coroner’s report indicated that Neville succumbed to a gunshot wound and asphyxiation — the latter inflicted by a bag secured over her head with duct tape.
Central to the jury’s determination is whether Carter’s actions were premeditated or a ghastly outcome of escalating circumstances. Defense attorney Long proposed that the shooting was accidental and claimed that Carter, realizing Neville was mortally wounded, decided to asphyxiate her to alleviate her suffering.
Long further elaborated that the gun was brought to intimidate Neville but discharged inadvertently. In contrast, the prosecution, led by Lindsey Holden-Kay, painted a picture of a jealous and enraged Carter who acted out of fury over Neville’s alleged infidelity. Holden-Kay bolstered her argument with text messages and voicemails exchanged hours before the tragedy, suggesting premeditation.
Adding depth to the prosecution’s claim, a forensic expert testified that the gun was fired from at least three feet away, countering Carter’s assertion that it discharged during a scuffle. It was also suggested that Neville was likely asleep when she was fatally shot.
As jurors retire to consider the plethora of evidence and testimonies presented, the community watches closely, awaiting a verdict on a case that has captured local attention for its tragic dimensions and complex legal questions.
The final arguments concluded promptly, leading to the beginning of jury deliberations at 11 a.m., setting the stage for a decision that could carry significant implications for all involved.
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