Indiana

Mom of 5 Shot Dead in NW Indiana Was Set to Testify in Murder Trial: Attorney

Jamise Perkins said her client had received threatening calls and had intimidating encounters with strangers leading up to her murder

A mother of five shot dead in her home in northwest Indiana this week was just months away from testifying in a murder trial, and her attorney said frightening incidents leading up to her murder leave behind questions about the motive behind her killing.

Pamela Hunter, 28, had moved from a shelter to Gary in the last six months, her attorney said. But Hunter was found shot dead in her new home early Tuesday morning. Her 8-year-old daughter was also shot but survived.

Jamise Perkins said her client had received threatening calls and had intimidating encounters with strangers leading up to her murder Tuesday.

“I do believe she died because she was a witness,” Perkins, who was Hunter’s attorney, said Wednesday. “I do not believe there is any other reason she died.”

Perkins said Hunter was to testify in a murder trial in June. According to her attorney, Hunter had potentially damaging information on a defendant in that case.

But in Lake County, Indiana, Hunter had no witness protection program to turn to.

“We want people to come forward. This is how we try to fight crime,” Perkins said. “This is what we want people to do.”

The Lake County Prosecutor’s office said although there isn’t a program, they accommodate witnesses who need to be relocated. The office added that it is open to setting aside and gaining funds for such a program.

“At this time there is no evidence that points to Pamela Hunter being murdered for her involvement in the upcoming murder trial,” the office said in a statement.

Gary police wouldn’t comment further on the investigation or if it would support such a program.

“This is a single mom with five children that works a minimum wage job,” Perkins said. “There just aren’t a lot of resources.”

Family members were making funeral arrangements for Hunter Wednesday and were caring for her five children.

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