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.
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 a press conference Wednesday, 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.
“Send the police apt 3 held hostage don’t call,” Mahogany texted her mother Sunday.
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.
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.”
Wade confirmed the arrests and charges of four men and three women in a separate press conference late 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.
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.
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.
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Next Gen News Team
No cash bail? Hope Birmingham doesn’t have a George Soros fund DA like Bragg in New York!
BLACKS, they still remain one of the biggest problems America has, they’re nothing but trouble. They make up 15% of the population, and commit 80% of all the crime in this country, soon illegals will be America’s biggest problem.
Just you wait what Muslim. Latin insvding criminal gangs and Asian gangs will do unless deported
This country is gonna turn into a living hell before long, and the left wing idiots want our guns !
Over my dead body. And many of those bastrds will go out before me
Don’t worry the defendants are black and there will be no bail.
Yea. And the Victim was Black as well. So no they should not receive Bail. It doesn’t matter what color you are. If your White, Black, Red, Brown or Whatever. You kill someone there should never be Bail. Simple as that.