Woman calls former boyfriend volatile; recounts victim's shooting.
By ALICIA GALLEGOS Tribune Staff Writer
SOUTH BEND -- When it was all over, Alexandra Stahly calmly exited the courtroom and walked toward a nearby doorway, where she collapsed into tears.
Court officials stooped to comfort the young woman who had just testified at her former boyfriend's murder trial, as Stahly held her head in her hands and sobbed.
The woman's emotional account Thursday shed light into her rocky relationship with Arden Balmer Jr. and the night he allegedly killed his best friend after discovering a shattering secret.
Balmer, 28, is charged with murder and criminal confinement in the death of 30-year-old David Lawton. Thursday marked the second day of trial testimony.
Stahly told jurors she and Balmer had been dating for two years when she tried to end the relationship, referring to Balmer as a controlling and possessive man who prevented Stahly from spending time with friends.Balmer was crushed by the breakup, she said and threatened to commit suicide. Stahly and Lawson never told Balmer they had started dating, and later living together at Stahly's home, she testified.
The woman described being called to Balmer's house with Lawton on the evening of his death because Balmer said he needed help. The three were in his backyard when Stahly recalled Balmer pulling a handgun from the front of his shirt and pointing it at Lawton.
"I pulled two shotguns out from under your chin and you betrayed me," Stahly said Balmer told Lawton. The woman said she believed Balmer was referring to an alleged suicide attempt once made by Lawton.
When he saw the gun, Lawton turned to Stahly and mouthed the word, "run," Stahly said, and later, "I love you."
"I ran toward Arden to try and stop him from shooting Dave," Stahly said, her voice breaking. "I was pulling on his shoulder as the gun went off... I was screaming at the top of my lungs, 'stop shooting!' "After firing at Lawton six times, Balmer dragged Stahly inside the house, she said, where she remained for at least 30 minutes before she was able to escape.
When asked by deputy prosecutor Joel Gabrielse if Stahly believed Balmer was insane during the murder, Stahly said she did not.
But upon cross-examination, defense attorney James Korpal asked Stahly if she remembered telling police after the shooting that Balmer was "delusional," and "unstable." Stahly said she did not recall saying that.
Korpal also pointed out that Stahly knew that Balmer had been seeing a therapist and visited the therapist with Balmer on several occasions.
Stahly confirmed that Balmer had previously spoken about hearing "a voice," and that she knew of a visit he made to Madison Center in July 2009.Korpal also questioned Stahly about why she did not admit to having taken the more than 20 sexual photographs and a video found on Lawton's phone when interviewed by police.
Stahly said she had not remembered taking the photos at first, but told officers at a later interview.
Near the end of his examination, Korpal asked if Stahly was aware of the effect she and Lawton's relationship might have had on Balmer.
"You knew that might cause Arden to go off the deep end?"
Stahly hesitated. "Yes, I did," she said, her voice shaking."You knew he might commit suicide?"
"Yes, that was on our mind."
The trial for Balmer resumes today at 1 p.m.
Staff writer Alicia Gallegos:
agallegos@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6368
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