Seven people have been arrested in the torturous murder of a Jasper, Ala., woman deemed so grisly the police have declined to release certain details in deference to her family.
Mahogany Jaquise Jackson’s body was found around 2:19 a.m. local time Monday, after someone called about a woman laying on the side of the road, per a Birmingham Police Department press release.
Birmingham Police Department
The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound.
“The facts of this case are deplorable and sickening,” Police Chief Scott Thurmond said at apress conferenceWednesday, noting that Mahogany had been sexually assaulted during her kidnapping.
In the hours before her death, Mahogany texted her mother for help, saying she had been kidnapped, Sergeant LaQuitta Wade of the Birmingham Police Department tells PEOPLE.
Mahogany Jaquise Jackson.Birmingham Police Department
Police rushed to the apartment Sunday and interviewed one of the now-apprehended suspects, but Mahogany – who was taken to several locations during her kidnapping – had already been removed from the apartment, according to Wade.
At the press conference Wednesday, the chief declined to enumerate the different locations where Mahogany was taken – or where she was ultimately shot to death, citing the pending court case.
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Calling the facts of her killing “absolutely disgusting,” Thurmond added: “This is undoubtedly one of the most heinous acts I’ve seen in my career.”
Although police have not released a motive for the murder, the chief said that Mahogany knew the seven suspects, who allegedly videotaped portions of her torturous last hours.
He called the video clips“a pivotal piece of the investigation.”
Brandon Pope (L) Francis Harris (C) and Jeremiah McDowell (R).Birmingham Police Department
Wade confirmed the arrests and charges of four men and three women in a separatepress conferencelate Wednesday.
Brandon Pope, 24, Francis Harris, 25, and Jeremiah McDowell, 18, are each charged with capital murder during first-degree sodomy and capital murder during first-degree kidnapping.
Giovannie Clapp (L) and Blair Green (R).Birmingham Police Department
Giovonnie Clapp, 23, Blair Green, 25, and Si’nya McCall, 23, are each charged with felony murder during first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sodomy. Clapp is additionally charged with second-degree assault causing injury.
Teja Lewis, 25, is charged with felony murder, as well as second-degree assault causing injury with a weapon.
Teja Lewis (L) and Si’nya McCall (R).Birmingham Police Department
All seven suspects are being held at Jefferson County Jail without bond, per police.
Birmingham police began investigating Mahogany’s disappearance as a missing persons case following her Sunday text message, the chief said, noting that her family’s quick response and citizens’ participation in the search led to the quick apprehension of the seven suspects.
It was not immediately clear if the seven suspects had been arraigned or retained lawyers.
source: people.com
