INDIANAPOLIS -- The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office returned from the July 4 holiday with a busy week in store – beginning four separate murder trials on Monday.
The trials include a father accused in the death of his 8-month-old son and 20-year-old accused in the murder of a teenager when he was himself only 18.
Below, find a synopsis of each of the four cases being tried in Marion County this week:
The State of Indiana vs. Demetrius Woodson
Demetrius Woodson was 18 in July 2015 when he and Nino Pullins, also 18 at the time, were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Bryvonte Lee.
In a probable cause affidavit, police said they believed Lee had arranged to sell the men a shotgun for $100 through a social media app. The men apparently squabbled with Lee over the price, and then began shooting. One of those shots struck and killed Lee, who was only 16.
The charges against Pullins were dropped in October 2015.
FULL STORY | Homicide victim, 16, was trying to sell shotgun on Instagram
The State of Indiana vs. Santos Pruett
UPDATE: The Santos Pruett case was rescheduled to August 7.
Lamont Reed was shot and killed on Nov. 10, 2015. Two days later, IMPD arrested 39-year-old Santos Pruett in a charge of murder in connection with Reed’s death.
According to court documents, police believe Pruett and his girlfriend were hanging out with Reed the night of his death. Police wrote that when Pruett’s girlfriend became loud and unruly, Reed tried to make her leave. She then exhorted Pruett to shoot Reed, which he did, according to police – twice in the front and once in the back.
FULL STORY | Amanda Blackburn & Lamont Reed’s murders share an anniversary, but not the spotlight
The State of Indiana vs. Brittni Martin
UPDATE: A jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" in the case shortly before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
IMPD detectives arrested 36-year-old Brittni Martin following the fatal shooting of her ex-husband, 40-year-old Jack Martin, in October 2016.
Shortly after Martin’s death, police determined his ex-wife was the likely shooter.
Detectives said at the time they believed domestic abuse may have been involved in the couple’s relationship.
FULL STORY | Woman arrested after allegedly shooting ex-husband to death
The State of Indiana vs. Aaron Jones
Four-month-old Jonathan Jorgensen was one of 144 homicides that made 2015 the deadliest year (at the time) in Indianapolis history.
Jorgensen died three days before Christmas 2015. An autopsy determined that he had died of blunt force trauma to the head. His death was ruled a homicide.
Police arrested Aaron Jones, Jorgensen’s father, on charges of murder, battery resulting in death and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
FULL STORY | Indianapolis man charges with murder in infant son’s death
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