The trial of Tatum, accused of killing a missing Texas woman, continues

TYLER, Texas — The trial of a Tatum man accused of killing a missing Tyler woman in 2023 entered its seventh day Wednesday.

Jesse Lee Williams is charged with murder in the disappearance of 51-year-old Paula Belonga. He pleaded not guilty to the charge last week.

Belonga was last seen on April 7, 2023, leaving her Paluxy Drive apartment complex in her Chevrolet Impala. Nothing has been heard from her since then.

Detective Cory Chamberlain of the Tyler Police Department testified that he and the other detective had heard one lie after another from Williams, and they decided to implement a new strategy to give him an “out” by, for example, suggesting that that something must have happened between him and Belonga, even if it was an accident.

Williams told police the only necklace Belonga had was the one he bought for her when they exchanged Christmas presents. He also said he gave her a piece of jewelry for her last birthday.

Williams again described the man, Cory Smith, with whom Belonga allegedly eloped, giving details about his appearance and the street where he lives in Chapel Hill. Williams said his brother's wife had a baby with Cory Smith about 12 years ago, but no one in Williams' family speaks to his brother's wife anymore.

Williams told Chamberlain that Belonga flew to Mexico with Smith. He called Belonga an energetic person who liked to laugh and with whom he never had a problem.

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