A 29-year-old Salem woman has been indicted by a Marion County Grand Jury for the first-degree murder of her boyfriend.
The indictment became public when Christina Bartley appeared before Judge Mark Stedelin Tuesday afternoon for a first appearance in court.
The indictment, as read by the judge, said that on April 15th of last year Bartley committed 1st-degree murder by shooting Wesley Bivens in the body with a firearm knowing it would cause great bodily harm or death.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Department made no arrests following the investigation. Bartley had indicated during the initial 911 call to report the shooting that it occurred as Bivens was trying to hit her.
State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth said self-defense claims will be part of the case.
The shooting occurred at the home both reportedly shared on Miles Lane southwest of Salem off the Selmaville Road. Bivens was found dead lying in a hallway at the home when sheriff’s deputies arrived with a gun sitting on a nearby counter.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, Salem attorney Matt Wilzbach entered his appearance to represent Bartley on the murder charge. He also entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. A jury trial date was set for January 10th of next year. Wilzbach also filed a motion to reduce the $1-million bond on the arrest warrant. A hearing will be held at 9:30 Wednesday morning.
Judge Stedelin said if convicted, Bartley faces a 20 to 60-year prison term and a fine up to $25,000.
