Anthony Carter
It appears a trial will get underway next monthin Bartholomew Superior Court 1 for a murder suspect.
Anthony W. Carter, 50, of Indianapolis is charged with murder for the April 16, 2023 killing of 40-year-old Ashley Neville. She was killed inside her home along County Road 650S, northeast of Azalia, with the cause of death ruled as a gunshot wound to the head.
Carter’s public defender, Greg Long, asked Judge James Worton to postpone Monday’s hearing for Edmarius Malik Oats, 19, of Columbus. Long, who represent both men, explained that Carter has expressed his desire for his case to go to trial on Oct. 22., while Oats’ trial is tentatively set for six days later on Oct. 28. Under that schedule, Long said he will not have sufficient time to prepare an adequate defense for both men.
Worton agreed to postpone Oats’ pre-trial/change of plea hearing until 9 a.m. on Jan. 20, with the trial beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 17. Oats is charged with attempted murder and four counts of aggravated battery for allegedly firing several shots into a group of people in Lincoln Park on May 23, 2023. Four people suffered non life-threatening wounds.
On Dec. 2, 2023, a notice was filed with the court stating that Carter was planning to use an insanity defense. Worton ordered that the defendant be examined by clinical psychologists Kevin Hurley and George Parker. Parker’s evaluation was filed with the court on April 11 while Hurley’s report was submitted May 1.
While being questioned by detectives, Carter claimed a small pistol fired and struck Neville as he was attempting to grab it away from her, according to a probable cause affidavit.
But the defendant also told investigators he “wanted to end her suffering” by putting a plastic bag around the victim’s head and using duct tape to secure it, court documents states. The defendant said he then placed his hand over the victim’s mouth to smother her, according to the affidavit.
There was a no contact order intended to keep Carter – the victim’s former live-in boyfriend – away from Neville at the time of the murder, investigators said.
