Boyfriend describes Grant Street overpass killing
Nov. 14, 2002
Posted on 11/14/2002 7:28:42 AM PST by mhking
Nov. 14, 2002
Boyfriend describes Grant Street overpass killing
| By Lori Caldwell / Post-Tribune staff writer |
GARY — Ronnie Terrell Thomas admitted to police he “dropped” his pregnant girlfriend off the Grant Street overpass of Interstate 94, heard her scream twice, then watched a truck run over her motionless body, court records state.
“He then turned away, got back into his car and left. He stated that he did not try to help her,” the probable cause affidavit states.
Thomas, 26, was charged with murder Wednesday in Lake Superior Court in Crown Point based on evidence presented by Indiana State Police Detective Tim Isenberg. The suspect was arrested Monday night after he went to the Lake County Police Department and told his version of the events.
Consuella “Candy” Williams, 22, was pregnant with another man’s child, and Williams and Thomas had been arguing that night at her sister’s house, the probable cause affidavit states.
The couple have a 1-year-old child together, state police said Tuesday.
Her sister, Secret Williams, told Indiana State Police detectives the couple continued to argue as they left her Glen Park home about 8 p.m. Monday night.
Although Thomas told police he and Williams were “hugging and kissing” after he stopped the car on the overpass before he “helped her” out, a Lake County crime laboratory detective who searched the vehicle found a metal locking device covered with blood and human tissue in the back seat, court records state.
Thomas will make his initial appearance in court at 10 a.m. today, Diane Poulton, spokeswoman for Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter, said.
In his statement to ISP investigators a few hours after Williams was found dead on the highway, Thomas said he convinced her to go with him to buy flowers and ice cream “to make up with her from the argument,” the affidavit states.
He stopped in a construction area on the overpass and “he picked her up underneath her arms and was holding her up in the air. He was asking her if she was still 'going to help me’ and (she) said 'yes,’ but Thomas didn’t believe her answer and then dropped her over the side of the bridge,” the court record states.
Williams died from multiple blunt force trauma. Police at the scene said detectives found personal items and clothing under the bridge, more than 100 yards from where the body came to rest after numerous vehicles struck her.
Williams’ 6-month-old fetus was also found on the expressway near her body, investigators said. A report filed by the Lake County coroner states the fetus’ hands were developed.
A domestic battery report filed by Williams with Merrillville police in July resulted in an 18-day jail term for Thomas.
He faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted of the murder charge.
Carter said Wednesday he will review the case and decide later if he will seek the death penalty against Thomas.
Funeral services for Williams will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Smith, Bizzell and Warner Funeral Home, 4209 Grant St. Visitation will be held starting at 10 a.m. Friday.
Reach reporter Lori Caldwell at 881-3119 or by e-mail at lcaldwell@post-trib.com.
Well, DUH!
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65 YEARS!!!!!!
Lets try 65 days followed by being thrown off an overpass in front of a Mack truck.
It's pretty damned sobering for me - just last summer, my youngest daughter was christened at the church where I grew up - less than a block from the scene of this horrific crime.
A very difficult decision. As you know, the death penalty is applied disproportionately to young black males. Affirmative action obligations may require that this young man be immediately released on $100 bail.
How did the baby get on the highway?
A safe assumption is that the impact of several fast moving vehicles literally knocked the child from her womb.
My apologies for my directness, but this kind of savagery cannot be made palatable under any circumstances.
I would imagine the scene was horrid.
Lets dial him in for SLOW ROAST
Are you suggesting that Mr. Thomas is an African-American? I don't recall reading that anywhere in the article.
Regardless of race, I'm sure Mr. Thomas was hug-less growing up, and therefore we should not be so hard on him. He's a victim, too.
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