Jenna Strouble Trial Tracker

 

Charges: Nine counts of first‑degree murder

Status: Held without bond

Latest Action: Not‑guilty plea entered April 10, 2026

Next Hearing: April 20, 2026

Case Type: Triple homicide with domestic‑violence context

• Defendant: Jenna Strouble, 30, St. John, Indiana

• Victims:• Jacob Lambert, 32

• Stacy Forde, 54

• Patrick Forde, 55

• Children Present: Two minors (ages 3 and 4) inside the home during the shootings

• Prosecution Theory:• Premeditated, sequential killings

• Execution‑style shootings

• Motivated by conflict with Lambert

• Defense Position:• Not guilty

• Discovery not yet reviewed

• Early allegations may not reflect final evidence

Pre‑Incident

• On‑again/off‑again relationship

• Documented tension over parenting

• No confirmed prior DV filings

March 22–23, 2026

• 11 PM: Strouble picks up Lambert

• Roadside stop: Offers back massage; Lambert lies face‑down

• Shooting: Lambert shot once in the back of the head

• Drive to Forde home: Uses Lambert’s keys

• Patrick Forde: Shot 17 times at entry

• Stacy Forde: Shot 3 times on stairwell

• Children: Inside home during shootings

• 2 AM: Welfare check requested

• Discovery: Lambert found in vehicle; parents inside home

• Flight: Strouble drives to Indiana

• Arrest: Taken into custody; extradited to Illinois

March 26–27, 2026

• Extradition completed

• Bond hearing → No bond granted

April 10, 2026

• Arraignment: Strouble pleads not guilty

• Next hearing set for April 20

Primary Charges

• Nine counts of First‑Degree Murder• Multiple counts per victim (intentional, knowing, strong probability of death)

Possible Future Enhancements

• Firearm enhancements

• Child endangerment

• Aggravated discharge of a firearm

Prosecution

• Will County State’s Attorney’s Office

• Lead prosecutor not yet publicly named

Defense

• Appointed counsel

• Strategy so far:• Reserve comment

• Emphasize need for discovery

• Avoid early narrative commitments

Judge

• Not yet publicly identified

Evidence Item Type Source Relevance Status

Glock Handgun Physical Recovered Ballistics match all 3 shootings In evidence

Shell Casings Physical Forde home Confirms shot count Logged

Vehicle Scene Physical Burnham Road Supports first killing Documented

Phone Communications Digital Phones Establishes timeline Extracted

Location Data Digital Phones/vehicle Tracks movement Pending analysis

Sister’s Statement Testimonial Sister Alleged confession Will be litigated

Autopsy Reports Forensic ME Confirms wounds Pending release

Children’s Presence Circumstantial Scene Aggravating factor Confirmed

Motion Filed By Date Purpose Status

No Bond Motion Prosecution Mar 26 Argue danger/flight risk Granted

Discovery Request Defense Apr 10 Access evidence Pending

Digital Evidence Preservation Prosecution Expected Secure phone/vehicle data Not filed yet

Motion in Limine – Statements Defense Expected Challenge confession TBD

Expert Disclosure – Ballistics Prosecution Expected Qualify expert TBD

Arraignment

Date: April 10, 2026

Strouble pleads not guilty; prosecution reiterates premeditation; next hearing set for April 20.

Prosecution Summary

• Repeated full narrative of sequential killings

• Emphasized ballistics match

• Highlighted incriminating statements

• Noted children present

Defense Summary

• Entered not‑guilty plea

• Stated discovery not yet reviewed

• No counter‑narrative offered

• No visible emotional displays

• Judge maintains strict posture on custody

• No jury yet