MONROE — Derek Hammer, who faces several felonies and lingering suspicion related to the disappearance of his former girlfriend, has moved to represent himself in court, even as the search for the missing Monticello woman goes on.
That’s according to District Attorney Craig Nolen, who is prosecuting the case, having successfully convicting Hammer of misdemeanor charges in an earlier disorderly conduct case.
Hammer, who remains in Green County jail, is thought to be among the last people to see his estranged girlfriend, Melissa Trumpy, alive. Trumpy, a mother of three, has been missing for nearly 6 months — ever since authorities said the 37-year-old set out in her car for Hammer’s home in Stephenson County.
Illinois authorities are leading the investigating into her disappearance on that side of the border and Nolen said the complex case is proving especially difficult on family and the authorities, in large part because she has not been found.
“I don’t have a lot to go on,” said Nolen. “She is not officially deceased.”
Just as he did for the earlier proceedings, Nolen has asked the judge for a large pool of potential jurors in advance of Hammer’s upcoming felony trial dates.
Nolen said Hammer made the request to represent himself in a hearing on April 25. He declined to speculate on why Hammer fired his attorney or how it might impact the upcoming court cases and the ongoing investigation.
According to court records Hammer was represented by attorney Michael Shannon Murphy.
Hammer waived extradition from both Carroll County and Stephenson Counties, where he faces additional felony charges. With the weather warming, friends and relatives of the missing woman are urging people to search for her on social media posts.
Hammer has entered a not guilty plea and demand for a speedy trial before Judge Duane M. Jorgenson. Trial dates have been set for July 5 through July 7. Jury selection is set to start at 8:30 a.m., on July 5. The pool of potential jurors was set at 50, with 2 alternates and 6 strikes.
Nolen has previously said the amount of pre-trial publicity means they will need to find a sizeable number of jurors to ensure a fair trial. Hammer also filed a motion for change of venue to move the trial elsewhere, but it’s not clear if the judge has ruled on the request.