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October 30, 2012

Man pleads guilty to fatally shooting girlfriend

July murder case approaches end, sentencing scheduled

By GARY POPP gary.popp@newsandtribune.com

NEW ALBANY — A New Albany man pleaded guilty to murdering his 23-year-old girlfriend in her home nearly three months ago during a hearing in Floyd County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

Ivan Chambers, 27, of 3212 Plaza Drive, was taken into custody by New Albany police July 20, only minutes after Amanda Rose “Mandy” McAnelly, a mother of a small child, was fatally shot twice in the head.

Chambers was represented by defense attorney Robert Colone, of Sellersburg.

Floyd County deputy prosecutor Steven Owen represented the state as Floyd County Circuit Court Judge J. Terrence Cody presided.

Police originally responded to McAnelly’s home in Plaza Square Apartments located off Grant Line Road on a domestic dispute call the day of the shooting.

When police arrived to the home, they were met by Chambers, McAnelly’s mother and McAnelly’s child.

Chambers told an officer at the scene that he shot McAnelly during a dispute, according to a probable-cause cause affidavit.

Officers entered the home and found McAnelly lying lifeless in a bedroom. A firearm was located nearby.

The affidavit also documents that Chambers called his mother and told her he shot McAnelly, shortly after her death.

Owen said the plea agreement included a 50-year sentence in the Indiana Department of Correction, which was agreed upon by both the prosecutor’s office and Colone. Owen said it is very likely the sentencing agreed upon in the plea will be reduced by Cody.

He said a presentencing investigation will take place before the sentencing hearing to generate supplemental information for Cody to review before issuing Chamber’s sentence.

“I think it is an appropriate plea,” Owen said. “And, hopefully, this will bring some closure to the family.”

Cody scheduled Chambers’ sentencing hearing for Nov. 29 at 1:30 p.m.

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