Man accused of killing Dollar Tree employee has court hearing Friday

INDIANAPOLIS — The man accused of shooting and killing a Lawrence Dollar Store employee went before a Marion County judge Friday.      

21-year-old Jalen Thomas is accused of killing Jasmine Bennett, 25, on Monday.

At Friday’s hearing, Thomas was assigned a public defender.

Bennett’s family and friends were in the courtroom.

“He was just smug and he didn’t really have anything. He had no feelings or no anything. He was just sitting there. I don’t think he cares how much we’ve lost, and my daughter being gone,” said Dina Ford, Bennett’s mother.

Thomas appeared in an orange jail jumpsuit, handcuffed and surrounded by three sheriff deputies.

The judge went over charges and explained to Thomas that he faces anywhere from 45 to 65 years in prison for murder. The judge also explained the penalty for unlawfully carrying a handgun was up to one year in prison and a fine up to $5,000.