November 23, 2015

Three Gentlemen Arrested For Murder of Pregnant Wife Of Indiana Pastor



Amanda Blackburn (right), pictured here with her husband Davey and son Weston, was killed after being shot during a burglary at her Indianapolis home. Three have been arrested in connection with the case.

[From article]
This is the teenager charged with the murder of an Indianapolis pastor's pregnant wife - but her widower has said he has chosen to forgive the alleged killer.
Larry Taylor, 18, Jalen Watson, 21, and Diano Gordon, 24, were arrested and taken into custody in connection with the homicide of Amanda Blackburn, 28.
At a press conference this afternoon, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced that formal charges had been filed against the men.
Taylor is facing 13 charges, including murder, after the 'knowing and intentional killing' of Blackburn, Curry said.
Watson is charged with felony murder. Both he and Taylor face multiple burglary, robbery and theft charges. Gordon, who was in custody due to a parole violation, is also facing burglary charges.
Curry said that DNA testing was a big break in the investigation that resulted in murder, burglary and other charges being filed.
He said the testing points to one of the men charged as the person who was later recorded as using her stolen bank card.
However, Curry said there is not yet sufficient evidence to file sexual assault charges in the case.
He also said that a decision has not yet been made whether the death penalty will be sought against the two men facing murder charges.
[. . .]
Blackburn was 12 weeks pregnant when she was shot in the head as she tried to defend herself and her one-year-old son Weston when her house entered into on November 10. She died later in hospital.
[. . .]


Diano Gordon is facing burglary charges in connection to the case.


Jalen Watson, 21, is the second person facing murder charges in the killing of Amanda Blackburn. 

Watson and Gordon are in custody on parole violations. Taylor, who was previously taken into custody and released, was re-arrested at a relative's home on a preliminary charge of murder, according to police.


Larry Taylor, 18, is charged with the murder of Amanda Blackburn - but her the widower has said he has chosen to forgive the alleged killer.

Sources say a fourth individual who was aware of the robberies, burglaries and murder, but did not participate, was questioned and released, WTTV reported, adding that detectives collected evidence linking the trio to a previous rape and robbery at the Westlake Apartments where the suspects were living until early November.
[. . .]
Davey Blackburn posted a statement on his church's website where he said: 'It's impossible to communicate all the emotions my heart has been forced to process. My wife was such a beautiful, gracious, loving woman of God.


'I have not only lost my ministry partner and support but also my very best friend. There is no way to prepare yourself for circumstances like these.
'My focus right now is to let The Lord minister to my heart as I continue to shepherd little Weston's. I'll be taking this time to focus on being a great follower of Jesus, dad, family member, and pastor to our growing church.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3330918/Second-person-charged-murder-pregnant-pastor-s-wife-shot-home-widower-reveals-forgiven-killers.html

PICTURED: The teenager charged with the murder of pastor's pregnant wife who was shot in her home as widower reveals he has FORGIVEN her killer
Amanda Blackburn, 28, was trying to defend her son when she was shot
Her husband found his wife wounded after returning from the gym
She was 12 weeks pregnant with the couple's second child when she died
Larry Taylor, 18, and Jalen Watson, 21, are facing murder charges and a third man has also been charged with burglary
Three men will also be charged over other burglaries in Indianapolis
Blackburn's husband said he is 'extremely relieved' about the arrests but 'it doesn't undo the pain'
But he added that although he wants to hate, he chooses 'the route of forgiveness, grace and hope'
By BRENDAN COLE FOR MAILONLINE and KHALEDA RAHMAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 14:56 EST, 23 November 2015 | UPDATED: 17:11 EST, 23 November 2015

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