Jalen Watson has been charged with felony murder in the death of Amanda Blackburn in Indianapolis. (Facebook)
A 21-year-old Indianapolis man, Jalen Watson, has been charged with felony murder in the death of a pregnant pastor’s wife, who was raped and killed during a home invasion.
Amanda Blackburn, who was 12 weeks pregnant, was attacked on November 10 in her home after her husband, Davey Blackburn, went to the gym. The couple’s 1-year-old son was sleeping in the house when the break-in occurred. Amanda Blackburn was found by her husband about two hours later. She was taken to the hospital and died two days later.
Police have also charged 18-year-old Larry Taylor with murder. A third suspect, Diano Gordan, is being held on a probation violation.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Watson Allegedly Went to an ATM While Blackburn Was Killed
Amanda Blackburn, with her husband, Davey, and son, was pregnant with the couple’s second child when she was raped and killed. (Facebook)
Police believe the intruders broke into the Blackburns’ house at about 6 a.m., when Davey left to go to the gym, possibly thinking the house was empty, Fox 59 reports.
Amanda Blackburn was raped by Larry Taylor and then shot in the head, police sources told the news station. Watson and Diano Gordan had left the home with Blackburn’s ATM card to withdraw money when she was raped and killed, sources told Fox 59.
Watson was arrested on a probation violation and possession of marijuana on November 19. He was charged with felony murder on November 23.
According to online court records, Taylor, of Indianapolis is also facing charges including felony robbery, felony burglary, felony theft, criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, auto theft, and carrying a handgun without a license.
Gordan is still being held on a probation violation, and police said further charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
2. A DNA Match Led Police to Watson & Blackburn
Jalen Watson has been charged with felony murder. (Indiana Department of Correction)
Authorities said during a press conference that a DNA match was the first break that led investigators to Blackburn’s accused killers.
The DNA was found on a sweater that was worn by one of the suspects to cover his face while he used Amanda Blackburn’s ATM card to withdraw money. The DNA belonged to Watson, police said.
3. The Trio Reportedly Calls Themselves ‘The Kill Gang’
According to Fox 59, the suspects, 18-year-old Larry Taylor, 21-year-old Jalen Watson and 24-year-old Diano Gordan, called themselves “The Kill Gang.”
Police said the three men committed two other burglaries in the same neighborhood before breaking into the Blackburns’ home.
The news station reports that detectives have possibly linked the trio to a previous rape and robbery at an apartment building in Indianapolis, where they were living. Two of the suspects are also believed to be responsible for a third burglary and car theft.
The first rape and robbery connected to the trio occurred on November 3, a week before Blackburn’s death, at the Westlake Apartments.
According to WTHR-TV, a 21-year-old woman was attacked and raped by two men while home alone in her apartment at about 10 p.m. The men broke into the apartment through unlocked patio doors.
4. Watson’s Sister Says He Had Nothing to do With the Murder
Marion Co Prosecutors now charge Jalen Watson in Amanda Blackburn murder case.
Watson’s sister, Geornita, has defended her brother, telling a local news station he didn’t have anything to do with the Blackburn murder and home invasion.
“My brother had nothing to do with the Amanda Blackburn case and sounded confused about being questioned by police,” Geornita Watson told WTHR-TV. “It startled me because he has not been in any trouble. He was like, ‘Well, they say something about a murder or something, and Geornita I don’t know what they are talking about’.”
Watson said her brother has been in trouble in the past, but nothing like the violence in this case. She added that he is turning his life around.
5. His Criminal Record Includes Burglary & Theft Arrests
Police released a surveillance photo showing a suspect in the rape and murder of Amanda Blackburn. Blackburn, the 28-year-old pregnant wife of a pastor, was killed during a home invasion in Indianapolis.
Watson has a criminal history that includes burglary, theft and possession of a controlled substance arrests, according to Fox 59.
Gordan’s record also includes convictions a burglary conviction, as well as felony convictions for residential entry and escape.
Taylor was arrested in June and charged with indecent exposure and public nudity after police said he exposed himself in a shopping center parking lot. Those charges, both misdemeanors, are still pending, according to online court records.
