34 year old Ruben Corzine has entered an open plea of guilty to first degree murder in the 2020 stabbing death of Jennifer Phelps in Mt. Carmel. During a court appearance this morning in Wabash County Circuit Court,
According to public defender James Lane, Corzine chose to plead guilty to not put the victim’s family though a trial. Corzine will be sentenced on September 10th by Judge Kimbara Harrell and faces anywhere from 20 to 60 years in prison with no good day credits being available to shorten his prison term.
In explaining the evidence that would be brought to trial, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman explained that on January 29th, 2020, Corzine stabbed the 41 year old Phelps 37 times at their home located at 909 Cherry Street in Mt. Carmel. Storckman said Corzine admitted to the killing during an interview with Mt. Carmel Police.
James Phelps is Jennifer’s father and he hopes Corzine get the maximum sentence…
Members of the Phelps family attended this morning’s court hearing most wearing blue t-shirts emblazoned with “Justice for Jennifer”.
Ruben Corzine is escorted back to the Wabash County Jail after pleading guilty to killing Jennifer Phelps.
