2 men charged in Amanda Blackburn murder
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Two men were arrested and charged for the murder of Amanda Blackburn, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday.
Larry Jo Taylor Jr., 18, and Jalen Watson, 21, have been charged with murder and additional felonies related to burglaries at three other homes Nov. 10, the morning Blackburn, a 28-year-old pregnant wife of an Indianapolis pastor, was shot in a home invasion.
Davey Blackburn, Amanda Blackburn’s husband, returned home from the gym to find his wife face down in blood on the living room floor, the probable cause affidavit states.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Taylor, Watson and a third person are accused of burglarizing two homes before entering Blackburn’s house.
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A vehicle was stolen during the first burglary, as well as personal items. The second burglary happened near the Blackburn home.
Taylor and Watson then entered the Blackburn home through the unlocked front door, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Watson and the third person left the Blackburn home and drove to an ATM to use Blackburn’s debit card. The two were in communication with Taylor via phone. Taylor was later picked up from the Blackburn home and all three left before Davey Blackburn arrived home from the gym.
Surveillance cameras at LA Fitness verified Davey Blackburn’s whereabouts at the time of the murder.
Taylor allegedly told witnesses he killed Amanda Blackburn. Blackburn died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, and she is believed to have been shot three times in total.
A pink sweater found inside the stolen car was swabbed for DNA. That DNA was identified as belonging to Watson.
Cell phone records helped lead investigators to the suspects, the probable cause affidavit explains.NOVEMBER 10 TIMELINE
5:23 a.m. — A 911 call is placed to report a burglary on San Clemente Drive.
6 a.m. — Davey Blackburn leaves his home for L.A. Fitness.
6:36 a.m. — An ATM receipt shows Amanda Blackburn’s card was unsuccessfully used to withdraw $500.
6:54 a.m. — $400 is successfully withdrawn using Amanda Blackburn’s card.
7:05 a.m. — A witness tells police she saw a man dressed in black walking down the street while talking loudly on the phone.
8:17 a.m. — A home on Sunnyfield Court, the same street where Blackburn lives, is reported burglarized.
8:22 a.m. — Davey Blackburn calls 911 to report he found his wife injured and unconscious.
The next morning, Amanda Blackburn was declared dead.
SUSPECTS IDENTIFIED
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry held a press conference Monday afternoon laying out the criminal charges of the case. IMPD investigators and IMPD Chief Hite also released details on what went into solving the case.
Investigators say many officers working the case worked without sleep to bring justice to the Blackburns. They also said Blackburn’s neighbors were, “helpful, instrumental and why we’re here today.”
Curry said the third person of interest could be charged along with Taylor and Watson. The suspects are from the northwest side of Indianapolis.
Despite media reports, Curry said there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone with sexually assaulting Blackburn.
He also said the “first significant break” in the investigation was DNA on the sweater of someone at an ATM.
The family of Amanda will have a say in whether or not the suspects will face the death penalty in the case.
Chief Hite pleaded to the community saying “We need the community’s help in all these cases.. We have unsolved homicides in this city.” Curry echoed Chief Hite by saying “We take every single crime seriously.”
Jalen Watson has been charged with Murder, Burglary (Level 1 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 2 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony) and Theft (Level 6 Felony).
Larry Jo Taylor Jr. has been charged with Murder, Burglary (Level 1 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 2 Felony), Criminal Confinement (Level 3 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony) and Carrying a Handgun without a License (Class A Misdemeanor).
In a release, IMPD said its Violent Crimes Unit, Gangs Unit and U.S. Marshals were involved in the arrest.
IMPD Chief Rick Hite released a statement overnight saying:
“We are thankful to our federal, state and local partnerships that aided in the apprehension of the suspect in this terrible and senseless crime. All victims of criminal homicides deserve closure, and as a community we must send a collective message that violence is not an option. Our detectives have worked tirelessly going days without sleep to solve murders in our city. With the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler and Prosecutor Terry Curry justice will be done!”
Sources within IMPD told 24-Hour News 8’s Julian Grace that Taylor was one of three men questioned last week, but he was later released.
Police also questioned Watson.DAVEY BLACKBURN REACTS TO ARRESTS
On Monday, Davey released a statement. He shared the three things he hopes to see in the weeks and months to come.
“Though it does not undo the pain we are feeling, I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest made last night of Amanda’s killer. The investigators have assured me they have a solidly-built case to ensure justice is levied and the process is expedited. The family and I couldn’t be more thankful for the level of compassion and professionalism the IMPD and investigators have shown us through the last couple of weeks. My hope is for three things in the weeks and months to come:
- That the court system would have wisdom on how to prosecute this man, so that no one else endures the pain Amanda and our family have had to endure because of his actions.
- That through all of this and although there will be great consequences for his actions, he would become truly sorry for what he has done and would even begin to experience the life-transforming power of the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.
- That Jesus would give me and our family a heart of forgiveness.
Though everything inside of me wants to hate, be angry, and slip into despair I choose the route of forgiveness, grace and hope. If there is one thing I’ve learned from Amanda in the 10 years we were together, it’s this: Choosing to let my emotions drive my decisions is recipe for a hopeless and fruitless life. Today I am deciding to love, not hate. Today I am deciding to extend forgiveness, not bitterness. Today I am deciding to hope, not despair. By Jesus’ power at work within us, the best is STILL yet to come. Even when I don’t see it, I believe it to be true.”
More than 2,000 people gathered at Amanda Blackburn’s celebration of life service.
A photo of a suspect in the case was released last week.
Appearing on “Inside Edition” Thursday, Davey Blackburn begged the public for information that could help the investigation.
“If anybody is withholding information, we would beg them, please come forward,” he said.
