TYLER, Texas — The trial of a Tatum man accused of killing a Tyler woman in 2023 moved into its sixth day on Tuesday.
Jesse Lee Williams is charged with murder in the disappearance of Paula Belonga, 51. He pleaded not guilty to the charge last week.
Williams was arrested after officials obtained evidence allegedly pointing to his involvement in Belonga’s disappearance last year. Belonga was last seen on April 7, 2023 leaving her apartment complex on Paluxy Drive in her Chevrolet Impala. She hasn’t been heard from since.
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Jessica Campbell, manager at The Ranch Apartments, testified Belonga was well-known around the apartment complex from walking her dog around the area to having a specific car. The state showed videos from a security camera showing the last time Belonga was seen leaving the property in the afternoon of April 7, 2023.
Campbell said it was just a missing person case when the video was requested. Belonga's family asked for the video on Easter Sunday (April 9, 2023).
Robert Baldinell, Belonga's brother, testified that his sister essentially never met a stranger. He described growing up with her as having a best friend always. He said their family lived in different places in their adulthood and didn't have big gatherings, but they were there for each other and spoke on the phone often.
Baldinell testified that Belonga became great friends with her mother and they were in communication frequently. But all communication with her family stopped on April 7, 2023, and that's when he called Tyler police for a welfare check.
He recalled his mother saying she got a text from Belonga asking for $500 late at night, which seemed out of character for Belonga. Baldinell called Belonga several times, but the calls went unanswered. He also learned that Belonga didn't pick up her son.
He recalled that she went through hard times and had suicidal ideation in Louisiana. After going to the hospital, she was diagnosed as bipolar and prescribed medication. However, she was doing well after getting the help she needed.
Baldinell testified that he never heard of Williams.
On the 911 call, he reported his mother said Belonga was acting strange for a few days, but he didn't know the details of what their mom meant. He said he knew his sister to use alcohol to cope with hard situations, but he also her to get through challenges without drinking.
Baldinell said his sister was a lovely and friendly person. He also testified that he never heard of Williams.
On the 911 call, he reported his mother said Belonga was acting strange for a few days, but he didn't know the details of what their mom meant. He said he knew his sister to use alcohol to cope with hard situations, but he also her to get through challenges without drinking.
Tyler Police Department Detective James Holt testified that data from Belonga's phone showed a general movement of the device. On April 8, the phone showed to be in Zavalla. On April 9, the phone appeared to move to an area just west of Tatum, which is also in the area of where Williams stayed with his ex-girlfriend.
From April 5 to 7, the phone seemed to mostly be in the southeast area of Tyler.
Data shows that her phone went to Henderson, the Martin Lake area and parts of Rusk County on April 7.
When looking at Williams' phone, the data shows both phones traveled a similar path within the period of April 5 to 12 of going to Tyler and moving around Rusk County, going to Zavalla, to Tatum and later on back to Zavalla again.
Both devices appeared to be in the same area and traveling together, such as moving along State Highway 64 and other roads and areas of Rusk County, Holt testified.
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