Suspect In Dalene Carlson Murder Makes First Court Appearance
STOCKTON (CBS13) – A man arrested for the murder of Dalene Carlson made his first court appearance on Monday and showed little emotion as the judge asked him if he understood the charges against him.
Jason Gilley, 26, did not enter a plea. According to court documents, he is facing charges of murder, kidnapping, rape and using a gun to cause great bodily injury.
Gilley was arrested last week.
Carlson had been missing for more than two months before her body was found in an Escalon field more than a week ago.
One of Gilley's former best friends was in court and said he wants justice for Carlson.
"I want to watch this step by step," Robert Cosens said. "I want to see this man go down for what he did to that girl."
Dalene vanished after leaving Finnegan's bar more than two months ago.
A farmer worker discovered her dumped body in an Escalon corn field.
Gilley was arrested for kidnapping Dalene shortly after her disappearance but let go because there was not enough evidence.
"It's just a shock to everybody to come and see his story change so many times," Cosens said. "I dont see how people can sit back ... if he's innocent why would he continue to lie?"
Prosecutors say Dalene's remains offer proof needed to throw the book at Gilley.
"It allows us to move forward, gives us more forensics evidence and it allows us to make the charges we've alleged," Deputy District Attorney Robert Himelblau.
Gilley's family rushed out of the courthouse and chose not to speak with reporters.
Gilley first told police they parted ways at the pub, but he later admitted that the two had gone to his home, had sex, got into an argument and Carlson left on foot.
Gilley told police he followed her in his car, picked her up and drove her 40 miles south, dropping her off at an undisclosed location.
Police are not expecting to make other arrests in the case.
