Two charged with murder of pastor's wife
Prosecutors have filed a long list of charges, including for burglary and homicide, against two of three men newly arrested in connection with the Nov. 10 murder of an Indianapolis pastor's wife, according to court records.
Larry Taylor, 18, and Jalen Watson, 21, are each charged with murder in connection with the death of Amanda Blackburn, as well as charges for felony burglary, theft, robbery and auto theft. Taylor, 18, is also facing charges of felony criminal confinement and a misdemeanor unlicensed handgun charge. He is also believed to have sexually assaulted the victim. Officers from the department's gang and violent crime units arrested Taylor, with help from U.S. Marshals.
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said at a press conference Monday that Taylor and Watson are suspected in two additional burglaries that occurred on Nov. 10 before Blackburn was killed, including one down the block from the victim's home.
A third suspect, Diano Gordan, was being held by the Indianapolis Police Department Monday on a parole violation. Curry said it is not clear if Gordan will be charged.
"The big break in the case was a DNA CODIS hit that tied Amanda Blackburn to a sweatshirt covering the face of an individual," Curry said, referring to the FBI's database of DNA evidence collected in previous cases.
In an affidavit filed today, investigators wrote that two of the suspects left Blackburn's home to attempt withdrawing money from ATMs using her debit card, and left Taylor with Blackburn in the home.
A witness allegedly told detectives that later in the day, Taylor told him, another witness and the other suspects that Blackburn charged him and he shot her "so he would not be scratched," according to the affidavit.
"Taylor then told them that he leaned over her body and shot her in the back of the head. He leaned further, looked at her face, and watched her bleed," a detective wrote in the affidavit.
Indianapolis Deputy Chief Bill Lorah said the case was also aided by tips from Blackburn's neighbors.
"The community from day one was very helpful, instrumental and why we're here today. They came forward with info, with surveillance, and was helpful when we canvassed," Lorah said.
Curry said his office will consult with Blackburn's loved ones before deciding whether to pursue capital punishment in the case.
Blackburn, the mother of a toddler and who was 13 weeks pregnant, was shot Nov. 10 in her home and later died at a hospital. The fetus did not survive. The couple's 15-month-old son, Weston, was at home but not harmed in the attack.
Blackburn's husband said he was happy to learn of the arrests.
"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," Davey Blackburn said.
He said investigators have told him they have a "solidly-built case." Blackburn said he hopes 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."