A jury was selected Monday morning to hear the first-degree murder trial of 30-year-old Christina Bartley of Salem in Marion County Court. Opening statements are set for nine Tuesday morning.
Bartley is accused of shooting her boyfriend Wesley Bivens with a firearm on April 15th, 2021 at the home they shared on Miles Lane southwest of Salem off the Selmaville Road.
Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies did not make an arrest at the time of the investigation. They had been called to the scene by a 911 call placed from the home by Bartley. Reports at the time indicated Bivens was found dead in a hallway of the home with a gun sitting on a nearby counter.
The first-degree murder charge in a Bill of Indictment by a Marion County Grand Jury did not come until almost a year and a half later. At that time, State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth said self-defense claims would be part of the case.
The trial is anticipated to last most of the week.
WJBD-WSIQ will provide updates throughout the week.
