The two women who have been charged in the death of Richard Truett are alleged to have teamed together to kill him before dumping his body across the state line.
41-year-old Michelle Ingram of Ridge Farm and 34-year-old Bailey Castigliola of Danville were each arraigned Thursday afternoon on six counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealing a homicidal death. Judge Chuck Mockbee set their bonds at $5 million each.
Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy says the two women are alleged to have committed the murder after Ingram falsely accused Mr. Truett, who was a 46-year-old Westville resident, of inappropriate conduct with minors.
The women picked up Mr. Truett from his home on December 28th. Once inside, Lacy says that Castigliola stabbed him in the leg, causing him to bleed out. At the same time, Ingram choked him.
Lacy says that the women drove to a farm field north of Covington, where they dumped his body. A farmer found the remains on April 7th.
Vermilion County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Mike Hartshorn said that Ingram and Castigliola were considered suspects early on in Mr. Truett’s disappearance. Both were taken into custody a few weeks ago and were initially charged with lesser counts of aggravated battery in the case.
Both suspects have had run ins with law enforcement before. Lacy says that Ingram has forgery and marijuana convictions and has two pending battery cases. Castigliola has had multiple drug arrests and a contempt of court conviction in California.
The pair face natural life in prison if convicted of the most serious murder charges.
