Trial Wraps Up for Man Accused of Killing Ex-Girlfriend in 2015

Thomas Albert faces murder charges for the death of Candance Prunty over a decade ago.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:42pm

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After seven delays, the murder trial for Thomas Albert, who is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Candance Prunty in 2015, is now in the hands of the jury. Prunty was found shot to death in her home after failing to pick up her three young boys from school. Prosecutors allege that Albert, who was dating Prunty that summer, was upset over their breakup and that this was the motive for the murder.

Why it matters

This case has been ongoing for over a decade, highlighting the challenges of prosecuting cold cases and the lasting impact on the victim's family. The outcome of the trial will provide closure, or continued uncertainty, for Prunty's loved ones.

The details

Candance Prunty was found shot to death in her home in October 2015 after failing to pick up her three young sons from school. Her mother and sister discovered her body when they went to check on her. Prosecutors allege that Prunty had been dating Thomas Albert that summer, but she broke off the relationship. They claim that Albert was upset over the breakup and that this was the motive for the murder.

  • Prunty was killed in October 2015.
  • Albert was charged with her murder five years later, in 2020.
  • The trial for Albert began on Monday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Thomas Albert

The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Candance Prunty in 2015.

Candance Prunty

The victim, a mother of three young boys, who was found shot to death in her home in 2015.

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What they’re saying

“After seven delays, the murder case for a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend is now in the hands of a jury.”

— John Bedell, News Center 7 Reporter

What’s next

The jury will now deliberate and decide whether to convict Thomas Albert of Candance Prunty's murder.

The takeaway

This long-running case highlights the challenges of prosecuting cold cases and the lasting trauma experienced by victims' families. The outcome of the trial will provide either closure or continued uncertainty for Prunty's loved ones.