The trial of the grandmother of Tramelle Sturgis, Dellia Castile, began Thursday morning with opening statements from the defense and prosecution.
Castile is facing three felony counts of Neglect of a Dependent for allegedly turning a blind eye when her son, Terry Sturgis, beat her 10-year-old grandson, Tramelle, to death.
Sturgis was convicted and sentenced to 140 years in prison earlier this year.
It's a case that's captivated the community, especially those who lived in the same South Bend neighborhood.
"We've been here all day and every day of Terry Sturgis' trial. I'm just supporting the Sturgis' family from the neighborhood," says Sharon Vaughn.
Inside the courtroom as Castile sat quietly, the attorneys gave their opening statements. We got a glimpse of how the trail may play out.
Prosecutor Joel Gabrielse told the jury Tramelle's death could have been prevented. He said Castile lived with her son Terry Sturgis. The prosecution says she had to know what was going on in her own home, that she even paid her son not to beat the kids.
Castile's defense attorney, Anthony Luber then got his turn before the jury. He told them, yes, they all lived in the same home, but Castile and Sturgis lead separate lives. He said the grandmother lived upstairs, Sturgis and his kids were in the basement. The defense also claimed Castile DID raise concerns about abuse to people at the children's school and with CPS.
The big question, should Castile be held responsible for not doing enough? It's something her neighbors struggle to answer.
"She's here for neglect, she might have done it. I'm pretty sure she knew something about it, but we weren't there," says Vaughn.
But as the trial continues, the prosecution plans to question people who WERE there, including Castile's other grandkids who lived under the same roof where Tramelle lived.
Courtesy: St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department
