CROWN POINT | Fabian Gomez and Jennifer Montejano had a tumultuous relationship, attorneys on both sides of Gomez's jury trial agreed Monday.

But, Deputy Prosecutor Lisa Beck and defense attorney Tom Vanes debated how that relationship translated into the 2006 death of Montejano, who was eight months pregnant with Gomez's child.

Gomez, 24, is on trial this week on charges relating to Montejano's death.

The Whiting man is charged with murder, felony aggravated battery, battery and criminal recklessness. He is accused of shooting Montejano in the face Dec. 28, 2006, in an East Chicago apartment during an argument. That night, Montejano delivered a healthy baby, now in the custody of Montejano's mother.

She died of her injuries on Jan. 7, 2007, at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields, Ill.

Defense attorney Tom Vanes said that while the couple's relationship "was not picture perfect by any means," it was not the kind that generates murder.

"They had the same kind of problems men and women always had since time began," he said, pointing to meddling friends, working late and questions about another woman.

Vanes said the shooting was an accident.

Beck contended Monday that Gomez deliberately shot Montejano during their argument. She pointed out his lies to police that the shot came from the window, "whizzed by his ear and hit Jennifer between her eyes."

Erica Castillo, who dated Gomez for about six weeks while Montejano was pregnant with his child, told the Lake County Criminal Court jury there was a confrontation over the lovers' triangle outside Castillo and Gomez's work.

Vanes said Castillo dated Gomez while he was separated from Montejano.

He said Gomez dialed 911 and did what he could to save Montejano after the December shooting.

Castillo said Gomez called her two weeks after the shooting and told her the gun went off and shot Montejano when he was waving his hands during the argument. He'd picked up the gun and his belongings to leave, Castillo testified.

If convicted, Gomez faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.