One of her former co-workers, Leticia Groen, explained, They werent supposed to be dating because she controlled his pay, she controlled how much he worked, and she would just give him more preferential treatment. Shes the one that coordinated everything and came up with the plan, said Cedillo. This was most likely a lighter and the accelerant was rubbing alcohol. The Jury heard that Clarence was arrested in the car park at the mall . Ashlea Harris arrived home to her apartment around 3:25 am. It was approximately 6 ft. long, 2 ft wide and 3 feet deep. Ashlea identified Clarence as the person who took the money from the safe from the surveillance footage. Harris boss told investigators the car was similar to a vehicle owned by former American Eagle Outfitters employee Carter Cervantes. At that point, the firefighters had arrived. Carter Carol Cervantez, 25, was taken into custody by Tarrant County Sheriffs on Saturday. SHARE NEXT UP Young Woman in the Center of a Murder | For My Man S6/EP27 | Airdate: Nov 29, 2021 <span>Runtime: 00:01:30</span> He testified that the presence ofpetechiae in Ashleas eyes reflected asphyxia or strangulation and that afractured cricoid is: the least common place wesee fractures in asphyxia or strangulation-type deaths because it consists of cartilagethat is pliable.". Jeff Kayser to testify. He forced her to enter and rob American Eagle at gunpoint and threatened to kill her family if she didnt do what he asked. It didn't last long. The day after Harris' murder, Cervantez was caught by surveillance cameras trying to open the doors to the store, but they had already changed the locks. Carter Carol Cervantez is on trial this week on a capital murder charge in the slaying of Ashlea Ann Harris, 31, on Nov. 28, 2014, the day after Thanksgiving, known commercially as Black Friday. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. For that reason, the fire seemed like an afterthought to me, Fort Worth Police Detective Ernie Pate told Snapped.. They were scheduled to make a deposit that morning of the proceeds from the Black Friday sales. A friend of hers, Alexis Torres came over. Harris and other workers helped identify them as suspects, KHOU reports. Police discovered that thirty one year old Ashlea Ann Harris lived in the apartment that was on fire. He heard a scream at around 7.30am. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that 27-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez was convicted of capital murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison. . Her feet and hands were bound with duct tape and she was covered in blood, according to Texas. She was raised in a large and loving family and made friends wherever she went. She came from a blended family. Mallory threatened to hurt her parents and relatives if she did not do what she was told, Cervantez said. Her body was partially burned and she had been beaten. The jury did not believe her. She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft. Prosecutors for the case showed surveillance video of Cervantez buying shovels and other gear on November 21st, with the intention of digging a grave for Harris. They were caught within days after several witnesses identified their vehicle to be present at the crime scene and supplied the police with a strong motive for them to commit the homicide. In addition, he did not call in to request off. It had its lights off as it left the parking space in front of Ashleas apartment. When he went to see why the smoke detector had not gone off he noticed it had been removed and placed under the mattress. She told Chris police were asking about an Infiniti G35. The Court heard the two of them returned to the mall at 8am and at that point, were being followed by the police, unbeknownst to them. January 17, 2022 On December 4, 2014, arrest warrants were issued for Carter Carol Cervantez and Clarence David Mallory Jr. Ashlea immediately contacted loss prevention, Chris Cravey, and the district manager. Saturday Tarrant County Sheriffs arrested 25-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez. The fire had been extinguished by then. Ashleas friend Alexis, who was the last to see her at close to 5 am, told police that Ashlea usually left her keys and wallet on her kitchen counter. Unsure of her career path, Harris began working in retail in her early 20s. Patrick testified that he thought about what he should do. When he realized it was Ashlea's apartment and when he observed her car was still parked outside, he ran upstairs and kicked her door down. It was evident to us that Carter was the mastermind behind this and I think David was the muscle. Dr Friesexplained that cricoid fractures are seen mostly in motor vehicle accidents or something involving a significant amount of force. A 911 call was made by a resident at an apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas, United States to ask for help. Carter Carol Cervantez, 27, enters court Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with defense attorneys Steve Gordon, right, and Bill Ray, not pictured. , updated Detective Cedillo drove there and he found a hole that had been dug that measuredsix feet long, two and a half feet wide, and three feet deep. Lets find out. She stole Ashleas keys to commit another theft with an even bigger payoff. We The prosecution alleged Carter to be the mastermind behind the homicide. This Record may not reflect actual, complete, or up-to-date data. Carter would always joke, If I were ever going to steal a deposit it would be after Black Friday or Tax Free Weekend.'. A break came when one of Harris neighbors told police that on the morning of the murder, he noticed a black, two-door Infiniti parked in the apartment complexs parking lot which didnt belong to any of the residents. Jeff was a neighbor and friend of Ashlea's. Cervantez is arrested in Lubbock and Mallory is taken into custody in Amarillo. Get Driving Directions to Christina Melton Crain Unit Prison, Texas. One week later Cravey called Cervantez. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A woman charged in connection to the death of a former co-worker who was beaten, bound, strangled and set afire has been found guilty. The keyring also had the front gate key and store key on them. A. loaded Glock 19 with a bullet in the chamber was found under the driver's seat. It was a direct violation of the company policy, and she started facing flak for her relationship with a subordinate. Patrick was thinking about trying to find out what was going on when he heard Ashleas front door open and then close. She raises three points on appeal: (1) the trial court erred by denying her counsel's motion to withdraw based on the State's failure to comply with the Michael Morton Act; (2) the trial court erred by admitting recorded statements of her . The Jury heard that at 6.56am,Alexishad a missed call from Ashlea and when she noticed it, just a few minutes later, she called her back but there was no answer. Patrick testified that he thought about what he should do. Ashlea has suffered numerous injuries to her face and head indicating that there were multiple blows. | Articles While Cervantes moved six hours away to Fort Worth, Mallory stayed in Amarillo. Court: Court of Appeals Second Appellate District of Texas at Fort Worth, Defendant's Attorney: William H. "Bill" Ray When he went to touch her, he saw that her wrists and ankles were duct-taped. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. There were extensive text messages between the two as they watched the store. He was unable to find a pulse. Police also found a damaged deadbolt lock, phone, a walkie talkie and a Buck knife with a, a toboggan with a hole cut in it, a tarp still, inside the package and a kitchen knife. I mean, my knees gave out. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. judgment. The two disappeared after the theft and were not arrested until police tracked them down on Dec. 6. The two men, who were strangers to her, were invited into the apartment by Clarence and she was raped by both of them. Mallory and Cervantez reportedly also stole $18,000 from the same store in August of 2014. The perpetrators had stolen Ashleas store keys and were allegedly planning to break into the store again and steal more money. It looked new as there was notany noticeable wear and the plastic price tag fastener was still attached. She was tentatively identified by her tattoos. They werent supposed to be dating because she controlled his pay, she controlled how much he worked, and she would just give him more preferential treatment. Theyare in our work places, our friendship groups and sometimes even our homes. Joyce Marshall jlmarshall@star-telegram.com FORT WORTH. Mallory drove her back to their apartment and friends of Mallory were waiting inside. Does Alan Cumming Really Live in a Scottish Castle? Her feet and hands were bound with duct tape and she was covered in blood, according to Texas Amarillo Globe-News newspaper. However, their jobs did not last long when they were allegedly found suspects of a robbery that took place in the store on August 24, 2014. Police believed that Ashlea was killed between 4.15am and 7.30am. Chris was in the parking lot and had been talking to Alexis Torres, who was the last person to talk to Ashlea Harris. On Tax Free Weekend and Black Friday, those were our highest deposit days, said Groen. Police could not find Cervantez inside the mall but found her later in the laundry room at her apartment; surveillance video confirmed she had walked the two miles home. It was their case that they wanted her keys to steal the money from the store but also that they wanted revenge after they held Ashlea responsible for them losing their jobs. Harris was an assistant manager at the store. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Cravey fired Cervantez because she had left the store unsecured. He met his girlfriend Carter Cervantez there. It is the13th largest city in the US. Cervantes helped Mallory falsify documents so she could hire him at the Hulen Mall location where she worked with Harris. Though Mallory was arrested for driving without a license, he was also released from custody. Both Cervantez and Mallory worked with Harris at the American Eagle store before being fired. Cervantes also received a sentence of life without parole at a. She was strangled, her throat cut, and ultimately asphyxiated. He requested that they stop the black Infinity if they witnessed any type of traffic violation. After more evidence is gathered they are arrested on December 4, 2014. Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com. Carter worked thereas an assistant manager and she hired her boyfriend Clarence to work at the same store. Ashlea Harris looked to have severe head trauma. Outcome: Having overruled all three of Cervantezs points, we affirm the trial courts She claims that Mallory drove her to the Hulen Mall not once, but twice. Police have said they believe that Cervantez, 27, and Clarence David Mallory, 21, beat and bound Harris and then set her body on fire to steal her keys . From Free Law Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. She denied being at the Hulen Mall that morning. These included the bed, the closet, and Ashleas body. Police believed they were used for practice as theywerelabeled lock picking practice lock.. Police have charged Carter Cervantez, 25, and her boyfriend Clarence "David" Mallory, 19, with capital murder in the death of Ashlea Harris, 31. (Joyce Marshall)</p> Author: WFAA Staff Published:. / CBS News/AP. They discovered that on Thanksgiving Day, she went to dinner withher friendAlexis Torres and other friends at an apartment inside her complex. In May 2016, 27-year-old Carter Carol Cervantes was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, according to The Dallas Morning News. The man drove to Hulen Mall and when they got there, he dropped off Carter at the door and parked. They also found a toboggan with a hole cut in it, a tarp stillinside the package and a kitchen knife. Since this was a violation they took him into custody. The two. There are a lot of people at her apartment complex, which says a lot about the defendants in this case.'. First published on December 10, 2014 / 11:07 AM. What did they all have in common on Black Friday 2014? with the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office testified to Ashlea Harriss cause of death. Mallory was found guilty along with his girlfriendCarter Carol Cervantez, 28, of killing the American Eagle store manager, who they both worked with, on Black Friday in 2014. When she tried to call her back Ashlea didnt pick up. November 8th, 2018, Precedential Status: This case has not yet been cited in our system. Cheyenne Roundtree For Dailymail.com Firefighters managed to control the fire and it was only then they discovered that Ashlea was inside. She would always find a way at work to make it harder on you, former co-worker Leticia Groen told Snapped.. The detectives talked to two American Eagle employees who had been locked out due to the locks being changed. The Autopsy revealed that Ashleahad numerous injuries on her body including but not limited toa laceration on the right side of her scalp, on her cheek and the left side of her face and a patterned bruise on the right side of her face, a bruise between her eyes and around her left eye. Christopher Chris Cravey, Ashlea's boss, heard that police were asking about that vehicle and he told them he knew someone who drove one. The only thing missing from Ashlea's apartment were her keys. A coworker was slapped with life in prison for beating and burning to death a store manager on Black Friday so that he could take her store keys and steal $50,000. Carter Carol Cervantez faces capital murder charges in connection with the death of Ashlea Harris. In looking at a police department database, Cedillo found that Cervantez and her boyfriend, Clarence Mallory had been suspects in an August 24, 2014 theft at America Eagle. He heard the door of Ashlea's apartment close and when he looked out his window, he saw a, black Infiniti G35 driving away. It was the 28th of November 2014. Fort Worth police, who had been staking out Cervantez s residence, followed the pair to the mall and arrested Mallory in his car outside after 3 Cervantez went inside. The Autopsy revealed that Ashleahad numerous injuries on her body including but not limited to, Dr Fries testified that the injuries on Ashlea's face were caused by multiple blows. Cervantes had worked at American Eagle Outfitters for several years and managed a store in Amarillo, Texas. Another store employee watched the video and agreed with Ashlea based on the suspects physical appearance. Rousseau added: 'Imagine the horror, someone is probably sitting on you while someone else is taping up your hands and then your ankles. So what was the motive for such a savage attack? Carter Cervantez, 27, who was an assistant manager at the Hulen Mall store, is on trial this week, accused of killing Ashlea Ann Harris, 31, on the day after Thanksgiving 2014. Harris was born in 1983 and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. The Prosecution called Jeff Kayser to testify. Greed and Hatred Uncovered in Ashlea Harris Murder, A First Look at the Murder of Ashlea Harris, Co-worker Describes Clarence David Mallory: He Seemed Genuine, She was the really cute, fun, outgoing person and so a lot of people were attracted to her, regardless of whether they were a boy or a girl, Ashleas best friend Stephanie Naylor told, Firefighters put out the blaze and found 31-year-old Harris dead on her bedroom floor. Ashlea Harris was outgoing and personable while the other assistant store manager, Carter was more straight-laced and reserved. She was inside getting some paperwork she needed to complete. Ashlea's ankles were also bound with duct tape. The most likely thing that caused that was being pistol whipped.. The Court also heardpolicefoundlatitude and longitude coordinates on the cell phones. Another apartment in the complex was on fire. The couple were arrested this weekend Cervantez in Fort Worth and Mallory in Amarillo on warrants accusing them of capital murder for Harris's slaying and theft $1,500 to $20,000 for the. She recalls being raped multiple times by friends of Mallorys and being coerced into the robbery. She testified at her own Trial and told the Court that she was afraid of Clarence. He tried again a second and a third time but the smoke made it an impossible task. Police could not find Carter inside the mall even though they saw Clarence drop her off at the door. Alexis Torres Bunch. Cervantez was the first to go to trial in May 2016. When he left for work around 7:30 am the car was still there. The Court heard testimony from Steven Lee. Fort Worth Police Detective Jerry Cedillo was staking out the apartment on the morning of November 29 when he saw Cervantes and Mallory get in her car and drive to the Hulen Mall. Police have charged Carter Cervantez, 25, and her boyfriend Clarence "David" Mallory, 19, with capital murder in the death of Ashlea Harris, 31. She told the Court she did not kill Ashlea and played no part in her death. 2018) Court of Appeals of Texas Add Note Filed: November 8th, 2018 Precedential Status: Precedential Citations: None known Docket Number: 02-16-00224-CR She raises three points on appeal: (1) the trial court erred by denying her counsel's motion to withdraw based on the State's failure to comply with the Michael Morton Act; (2) the trial court erred by admitting recorded statements of her . By The police also analyzed their mobile phones to find they had exchanged texts planning the murder and methods of disposing of the corpse. Prosecutors laid out a case that Cervantez wanted revenge and payback for getting fired. They found ample evidence in both places, including a gun used to pistolwhip Ashlea, receipts for a murder kit, including the duct tape used to bind her, and her blood on the floor mat of their vehicle. We may earn a commission from links on this page. After that, she went to work. Wallace also determined that the ignition source was an open flame. Helived downstairs and diagonally across from Ashlea. They founda plastic tub that contained bungee cords and arope. Carter did hold this against Ashlea, because Ashlea was the one that turned them in, said Groen. In the meantime, Detective Pate, Cedillos partner, made contact with Mallory. the Court. When Detective Cedillo entered the coordinates it came up to a specific location near Lueders, Texas. Harris friends told investigators that she had been working around the clock in anticipation of the Black Friday sales event which started that morning. Cerevantez and Mallory had previously worked with Harris at the American Eagle store, but this summer were suspected of stealing $18,000 dollars from it. (Fort Worth PD) Harris, who was a manager at the store, had. Harris' hands and feet were bound in duct tape,. Ashlea had been murdered and her body and apartment had been set on fire. Ashlea Ann Harris was murdered Nov. 28, 2014, by Clarence David Mallory, 22, and his co-defendant, Carter Carol Cervantes, 28. When police looked at mall surveillance the video showed a person wearing a grey sweatshirt and black hat arrive at the security gate at American Eagle. Prosecutors showed video surveillance from Home Depot a week before Ashlea Harris was murdered. Ashlea was the mom of the store. Their cases were heard separately but the Prosecution case was almost the same for both with the exception that they believed Carter was the mastermind behind the crime. arrived on the scene. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. February 04, 2022, "The criminal justice system will take a hard look at what happened to Matthew Eappen. At the apartment, detectives found a box containing a taser in the trash, strands of duct tape, and a damaged deadbolt lock. Police retraced Ashlea's movements. It was a black Infiniti G35. However, her loyalty to the store where she was employed would tragically lead to her death. Harris autopsy pointed to a rage killing. Though the theft remained an open case with the Fort Worth Police Department, American Eagle believed it had enough evidence to fire Cervantes and Mallory. Prosecutors also showed evidence that Cervantez and Mallory were planning to rob the American Eagle in Abilene (where they had previously worked). The Prosecutor,Kevin Rousseau,told the Jury: "There are no good murders. Domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colors and lives in many different communities. Carter Carol Cervantez v. The State of Texas Case Number: 02-16-00224-CR Judge: Mark T. Pittman Court: Court of Appeals Second Appellate District of Texas at Fort Worth Plaintiff's Attorney: Joseph W. Spence Defendant's Attorney: William H. "Bill" Ray Steven W. Conder Description: 23:46 GMT 24 Aug 2017 Knives and a loaded gun were found inside Cervantes Infiniti while the shovels and other items were in the trunk of Mallorys vehicle. | Store A few minutes later, Patrick's. They soon determined that Ashlea Harris had suffered blunt force trauma to her face and head, her throat had been cut, and her body partially burned. Another neighbor, Patrick Sweet, also testified. There are predators everywhere. Cervantez claimed that the grave was not for Ashlea Harris, but for her. One of Harris friends had stopped by after Ashlea got off work on Thanksgiving night and stayed until around 5 a.m. These included a black trash bag, a sharpening stone for a knife, a 9mm cartridge, a cell phone, a walkie-talkie, a buck knife sheath, a plastic tub, mens boots that had a cell phone in them, clothing, a toboggan with a hole cut in it, a tarp still inside the package and a kitchen knife. They raped her for not following through with the robbery. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They told authorities Harris usually left her keys on the kitchen counter, and that her home and car keys were on the same keychain as the keys to the American Eagle store where she worked. Jason Kidd hopes Mavs star stays patient in preseason play, Spring training cuts are incoming, but these Rangers prospects have impressed in camp. They were there to get the keys, said Cedillo. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Police tracked Cervantes and Mallory to an apartment near the Hulen Mall. He was also fired per store policy. She bends down to unlock it but is unable to. Today it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. A bottle of it found near the body. Carter Carol Cervantes worked as a store manager of an American Eagle Outfitters outlet in Amarillo, Texas. They stalked Ashlea Harris like people stalk a deer.'. At the police station, police observed that he was wearing a ski mask. They believed that Carter and Clarencekilled Ashlea as they knew she had the keys for the safe and the plan was to take the keysand go to the American Eagle store to steal the tens of thousands of dollars they knew would be in the safe after Black Friday. Cervantes helped Mallory falsify documents so she could hire him at the Hulen Mall location where she worked with Harris. The Court heard that the car was still there when Steven left for work after 7.30am. <p>Carter Carol Cervantez, 27, enters court on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with defense attorneys Steve Gordon, right, and Bill Ray, not pictured. Her throat had been cut and she had been set on fire. Her bond was set at $500,000. In reviewing the malls video surveillance Detective Cedillo saw Cervantez enter the mall wearing the same clothing he had seen her leave her apartment in. The keys seemed to be the only thing missing from her apartment. As a result of his incompetency, he was fired, and American Eagle put him on the Do Not Hire Again list. Investigators determined the fire started in Harris bedroom and that rubbing alcohol had been used as an accelerant, despite its low flammability. Carter Carol Cervantes worked as a store manager of an American Eagle Outfitters outlet in Amarillo, Texas. Fire investigator, Wallace Hood, with the Ft. Worth Fire Department arrived on the scene around 8:45 am. This key was not in the trash during the first search. He thought that somebody had collected Ashlea for work. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. All were missing. He testified that at around 7.30am on the 28th of November, he woke when heheard a loud scream. He testified that when he entered the apartment, itwas full of smoke and water was spraying from the sprinkler system.

Why Did Ironhide Rust When He Died, Nh Attorney General Press Release, Homes For Sale By Owner Madison, Al, Drake Maye High School Stats, Articles C