April 07--A Gary woman who admitted she killed her boyfriend and battered a woman with whom she suspected he was cheating was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison.
Santrina Echols, 43, apologized to Charla Carson, who police said she struck with a "blackjack" at a motorcycle clubhouse about two weeks before strangling and suffocating Clester Sims, 37.
Early on June 30, 2013, Carson was at the Rough Rider Motorcycle Clubhouse at 2113 Broadway in Gary with Sims, records state. Carson was aware Sims was in a relationship with Echols because Echols had previously told Carson that Sims was "playing them both."
Echols admitted she walked up to Carson, told her, "I've got something for you, too," and struck Carson on the left side of the head with an object. Carson had a lump from the injury that was visible three days later.
The seven-month relationship between Sims and Echols was volatile, and Sims had been convicted of misdemeanor battery involving Echols.
Sims arrived at Echols' home in the 1400 block of West 16th Avenue in Gary after having spent the entire evening of July 12 into July 13, 2013, with Carson. They began to argue and fight. Echols told police that she just couldn't take it anymore.
When they were in the bedroom, Echols got onto Sims' back. His face was pushed into the mattress. Echols grabbed a phone cord and wrapped it around his neck. She told police she pulled with all her strength until she couldn't feel any more life in his body. Echols told police Sims was having an affair and that she and Sims had ongoing domestic battery issues.
Sims died of asphyxiation from smothering, compression and ligature strangulation, according to a finding by Dr. John Cavanaugh, a forensic pathologist with the Lake County coroner's office.
Deputy prosecutor Judy Massa said the plea agreement was the result of extensive negotiations and soul-searching.
Defense attorney Roseann Ivanovich noted Echols' difficult childhood that resulted in Echols leaving home as a young teen, eventually becoming employed as a certified nursing assistant.
Echols told the judge she felt terrible about the situation. "We both were victims of his lies, which caused all of this," she said. "I made a choice to stay in the relationship despite all of this because I thought I could help him."
The plea agreement outlined a 15-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and a four-year sentence for battery, with the terms served concurrently.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
