carter carol cervantez
So he laid back down to try to fall back asleep, but thats when the carbon monoxide detector went off. There was a scrape and lacerations of her lip, a scrape on her chin and a star-shaped laceration with a surrounding bruise behind her left earwhich the medical examiner was caused by being struck by the pistol. Harris was found dead in her apartment several hours later when firefighters responded to a fire alarm. These included the bed, the closet, and Ashleas body. Cervantes was later located at her apartment and agreed to meet with detectives. He is 22 years old. 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. | Link Errors She then walks to American Eagle and goes out of view. The two reunited in Fort Worth and moved in together. 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. Via the Star-Telegram: Cervantez testified that she and Mallory went to Cleburne and rented a motel room on Nov. 28, but later that day Mallory had her drive to Hulen Mall while he toyed with a 9 mm Glock handgun he held in his lap. They were arrested and charged with capital murder, according to the, 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, Clarence David Mallory, 22, would meet a similar fate in August 2017. Cedillo went to the American Eagle store where Harris' boss was waiting for the owners to open up. Cravey indicated that he did. She purchased what Im going to describe as a murder kit, said Rousseau. FWPD Fort Worth Police Department FORT WORTH Pictures of tools that could be used to pick locks, the front cover of the book Practical Lock. So why did they kill Ashlea? At that point, the firefighters had arrived. Police believed that Ashlea was killed between 4.15am and 7.30am. | Editor They were there to get the keys, said Cedillo. Dr Richard Fries, a deputy medical examiner at the Tarrant County Medical. The deposit was somewhere between $40,000 to $50,000. Chris testified that Carter and Clarence would have known that Ashleaidentified Clarence and informed him of the theft. On December 4, 2014, arrest warrants were issued for Carter Carol Cervantez and Clarence David Mallory Jr. 23:46 GMT 24 Aug 2017 Her truck was still in the apartment complexs parking lot. Our district manager basically gave her the option to quit or to get transferred. Carter chose to get a transfer and was shifted to a store in the Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, Texas. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Sign In, Verdict Corrections Carter was a former employee at the American Eagle store where Ashlea worked but she was fired in August. Carter Carol Cervantez appeals from her jury conviction for capital murder and automatic life sentence. It turns out that Clarence was also a former employee of American Eagle. Like Harris, Cervantez was an assistant manager. He called 911 as he realized there must be a fire. She also accused the black-hooded male, caught on camera breaking into the store safe and stealing the money, as David. 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. He ruled out accidental causes for the reason for the fire and concluded that the fire was set on purpose. However, they were never charged or arrested for allegedly committing the robbery. He also described seeing the dark-colored vehicle driving away shortly after hearing Ashleas front door close. The apartment belonged to 31-year-old Ashlea Harris who resided there with her dog, Nala. He testified that he wokethat morning when he heardthe sound of the fire alarms. Cravey and Ashlea watched the store surveillance video. She told the Jury that he controlled her and even told her when she could eat or drink. They were arrested and charged with capital murder, according to the Reuters news service. First published on December 10, 2014 / 11:07 AM. 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 Snapped," airing Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen. 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: She told the Court she did not kill Ashlea and played no part in her death. While Cervantes moved six hours away to Fort Worth, Mallory stayed in Amarillo. There was a cut on the right side of Ashlea's neck which was caused by a knife and bruises and abrasions on her neck, chest and right arm. Detective Cedillo wanted to search Ashleas pick-up truck. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 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. He told the Court that he lived in an apartment just, below Ashleas apartment. It was evident to us that Carter was the mastermind behind this and I think David was the muscle. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Christopher Chris Cravey, Ashlea's boss, heard that police were asking about that vehicle and he told them he knew someone who drove one. At 7:45 am he witnessed Cervantez and Mallory exit their apartment and get into the black Infinity. I mean, my knees gave out. 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> 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. These included a receipt for a cutaway practice lock that had been mailed to Cervantez & Mallorys apartment and a lock picking instruction manual. Police have charged Carter Carol Cervantez, 25, and her boyfriend Clarence "David" Mallory, 19, with capital murder in the death of their former co-worker, Ashlea Harris, 31. Cervantez claims that Mallory dug the grave for her. The apartment was filled with smoke. Following Harris murder, the locks had been changed and the Black Friday proceeds were still inside. He heard the door of Ashlea's apartment close and when he looked out his window, he saw ablack Infiniti G35 driving away. Blood was found on the floor mats of Cervantes car. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. terminated for leaving the store unsecured. But on the morning of November 28, 2014, a call came into the Fort Worth Fire Department from the River Ranch Apartments, where Harris lived. On December 4, arrest warrants were executed, and David was arrested at a private residence in Amarillo on December 5. The trial for the horrific murder of an American Eagle employee on Black Friday began this week in Fort Worth, TX. In addition, he did not call in to request off. The Court heard that when police searched Clarence's car, which was a Cadillac, they found two shovels, a box of plastic sheeting, and a box of Craftsman sockets. She denied being at the Hulen Mall that morning. Both suspects were booked . The Prosecution claimed that person was Carter. When he left for work around 7:30 am the car was still there. They are not hiding in shadows. 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. A Friday. He met his girlfriend Carter Cervantez there. Chris went over to Detective Cedillo to tell him what he knew. One suspect in 2014 Black Friday slaying gets life in prison, Clarence David Mallory, Jr. v. The State of Texas Appeal from 297th District Court of Tarrant County (memorandum opinion), Woman gets life for beating, binding, burning co-worker at Fort Worth mall in robbery plot, Police: Couple beat, strangled, burned woman News, Ashlea Harris Obituary Fort Worth, TX | Star-Telegram, Benbrook man gets life for killing Hulen Mall manager, Carter Carol Cervantez v. State CourtListener.com, Defendant in American Eagle murder trial testifies, Belle Gunness The Mistress of the Murder Farm, Kendall Francois The Poughkeepsie Killer, Dateline Podcast Black Friday November 29, 2019. Jeff, Wallace E. Hood Jr., an arson investigator, told the Court that, multiple origins of the fire, including in the bed, on Ashleas body, and in the closet. She told Chris police were asking about an Infiniti G35. Cheyenne Roundtree For Dailymail.com The most likely thing that caused that was being pistol whipped.. Forth Worth was originally settled in 1849 as a US Army outpost to protect pioneers settling out west. Jeffcrawled midway to the kitchen before he was forced to get out for some air. He told the Court that he lived in an apartment justbelow Ashleas apartment. The Court heard about Ashlea's injuries. 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 scream was followed by a loud thud and hecould hear labored breathing. Prosecutors also showed evidence that Cervantez and Mallory were planning to rob the American Eagle in Abilene (where they had previously worked). Cervantes had worked at American Eagle Outfitters for several years and managed a store in Amarillo, Texas. Cheyenne Roundtree For Dailymail.com, 'Multiple' US Army drill sergeants at Fort Benning suspended after sexual assault allegations surface, 'It's tough to watch him struggle': Hugh Hefner's son opens up about his dad's health struggles as reclusive Playboy founder hasn't been seen in public in over a year, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, TN residents say Jack Daniel's distillery spews black mold, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' 2023 Chilling Crimes. 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. She told the Court that she left Ashlea's apartment after 4am the morning of the 28th of November and that when she left, Ashlea locked the door. Ashlea Harris arrived home to her apartment around 3:25 am. He opened a window in the bedroom to air it out. It didn't last long. Ashlea Ann Harris was murdered Nov. 28, 2014, by Clarence David Mallory, 22, and his co-defendant, Carter Carol Cervantes, 28. Cervantes had hired 19-year-old David Mallory and soon began dating him, in violation of company policy. It is up to the rest of us to take an even harder look at who is minding our children. One of Harris friends had stopped by after Ashlea got off work on Thanksgiving night and stayed until around 5 a.m. Harris' hands and feet were bound in duct tape,. Her feet and hands were bound with duct tape and she was covered in blood, according to Texas. | Store Ashlea was the mom of the store. At that point, no one other than law enforcement knew that there was any keys missing. Chris Cravey had gotten all the locks changed upon hearing about Ashleas murder. Ashlea suspended Carter and one week later, Chris called Carter and told herthat she had beenterminated for leaving the store unsecured. our Backup, Combined Opinion from And in Fort Worth, career-driven Carter Carol Cervantez begins to rethink her priorities when she finds love at the workplace. The day after Thanksgiving Day. There was no smoke in her lungs indicating she was not alive when the fire was set. When Ashlea arrived for work she discovered that a theft had occurred sometime overnight. Cervantez was recently found guilty of her involvement and sentenced to life in prison without parole in May 2016, reported the Star-Telegram. 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. 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 . Prosecutors laid out a case that Cervantez wanted revenge and payback for getting fired. Steven W. Conder. He moved to Ft. Worth and reunited with Carter, who allegedly falsified his social security number to cheat the system and get him employment at the Ft. Worth store. Detective Cedillo testified that one of the text messages on Clarence's cell phone contained latitude and longitude coordinates and when he entered them into Google Earth, it revealed a locationnear Lueders, Texas. Fort Worth Police arrested two suspects in the November 28 murder of Ashlea Harris. On November 29th search warrants were obtained for Cervantez and Mallorys apartment, the black Infinity, and Mallorys Cadillac. But surveillance video confirmed she was not being truthful and it showed her leaving the mall and walking towards her home. He was unable to find a pulse. Video from American Eagle picks her up approaching the gate. In her testimony, Cervantez describes abusive behavior from Mallory, who she says threatened to kill her family if she didnt comply with his orders. She would always find a way at work to make it harder on you.. November 8th, 2018, Precedential Status: Police asked Alexis if she knew who drove a black Infiniti G35. The couple lived only two miles from Ashleas apartment. Cervantes helped Mallory falsify documents so she could hire him at the Hulen Mall location where she worked with Harris. Cedillo went to the American Eagle store where Harris' boss was waiting for the owners to open up. Harris was an assistant manager at the store. At a minimum, this took at least a month of planning. 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. She was strangled, her throat cut, and ultimately asphyxiated. Fired One week later Cravey called Cervantez. She was taken to the station for questioning. Ashlea has suffered numerous injuries to her face and head indicating that there were multiple blows. Ashlea was found lying face down on the floor of her bedroom. Police argue that the couple beat Harris and then set her body on fire, taking the keys to the Hulen Mall American Eagle Outfitters store in order to steal up to $50,000 in profits from a Black Friday sale. Police were contacted when the theft was discovered, but I dont know if they questioned Mallory or Cervantez. Zach Shallcross Struggles to Watch Himself Dancing Terribly on The Bachelor, Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Alison Brie on Sex Scenes: 'We Are Actors, This Is Our Job'. I said, Can you tell me anything? He said, Ill ask you a question, does Jeremiah 29:11 mean anything to you? And I just fell down. They founda plastic tub that contained bungee cords and arope. Then he heard a loud thump right above him as Ashleas bedroom was directly above his. 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. He testified that when he entered the apartment, it, was full of smoke and water was spraying from the sprinkler system. Firefighters managed to control the fire and it was only then they discovered that Ashlea was inside. 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 . Both Cervantez and Mallory worked with Harris at the American Eagle store before being fired. Knives and a loaded gun were found inside Cervantes Infiniti while the shovels and other items were in the trunk of Mallorys vehicle. She stole Ashleas keys to commit another theft with an even bigger payoff. Home by Chilling Crimes A few minutes later, Patrick'scarbon monoxide detector went offand he sawwater dripping from the ceiling in his bathroom. A key belonging to another assistant store manager was left in the night deposit box. He followed them as Mallory drove to the Hulen Mall. Examiners Officer, performed the Autopsy on Ashleas body. Ashlea went through the surveillance footage and alleged Carter and David to be the burglars, as Carter was seen leaving the back door of the store unlocked when she took the garbage out the night before. that the smoke detector had been removed and was underneath the mattress. Carter's phone:Well, damn. In August 2016, Clarence David Mallory was found guilty of murder one after one hour of jury deliberation. His name was Clarence David Mallory. He continued to lie in bed wondering what was going on in his upstairs neighbors apartment (Ashleas apartment). 02-16-00224-CR. He told police that Carter had gone into the mall to collect some papers but when police searched the mall, she wasn't there. He testified that the presence of. She workedas an assistant managerin an American Eagle store in the Hulen Mall. Though Mallory was arrested for driving without a license, he was also released from custody. According to news reports, Carter was an assistant store manager at the time, along with 31-year-oldAshlea Ann Harris. She and her. 27-year-old old Carter Carol Cervantez is on trial for capital murder in the killing of Ashlea Ann Harris, whose body was found on November 28, 2014. The comments below have not been moderated, by Chilling Crimes She was tentatively identified by her tattoos. We may earn a commission from links on this page. 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. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. Chicwanda Forbes has worked hard to make a life for herself in New Orleans, until an older man offers her the attention she craves in exchange for her loyalty. Her lover, David, continued working at the Amarillo store but began to miss shifts regularly. , updated 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. Carter Carol Cervantes worked as a store manager of an American Eagle Outfitters outlet in Amarillo, Texas. It was approximately 6 ft. long, 2 ft wide and 3 feet deep. What did they all have in common on Black Friday 2014? Alexis usually watched Ashleas dog Nala when she worked. She claimed that when Ashlea was murdered that she was in bed asleep and she didn't know where Clarence was. Chris Cravey later found out that the key that was used to unlock the safe had been left unattended on a table in an area that Cervantez was folding clothes the day before. A friend of hers, Alexis Torres came over. Detective Jerry Cedillo with the Ft. Worth Police Department Homicide Unit arrived at 10:22 am. Please enter valid email address to continue. There are a lot of people at her apartment complex, which says a lot about the defendants in this case.'. He requested that they stop the black Infinity if they witnessed any type of traffic violation. 2018) Court of Appeals of Texas Add Note Filed: November 8th, 2018 Precedential Status: Precedential Citations: None known Docket Number: 02-16-00224-CR Harris boss told investigators the car was similar to a vehicle owned by former American Eagle Outfitters employee Carter Cervantes. The Court heard that inJune 2014, Ashleawas appointed to run the store while Chris was on medical leave. Police searched the black Infiniti G35 and found a plastic bag inside a black trash bag, a sharpening stone for a knife, a nine-millimeter cartridge, a cellphone, a walkie talkie and a Buck knife with a sheath. 'They slash her throat and then, when she is finally dead, they set her place on fire. Helived downstairs and diagonally across from Ashlea. Im so sorry I forgot. Detective Cedillo radioed dispatch and asked them to send a marked patrol call to the mall. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Does Alan Cumming Really Live in a Scottish Castle? The following opinions cover similar topics: CourtListener is a project of Free Assuming that there may be a fire in Ashleas apartment he dialed 911. . Harris and other workers helped identify them as suspects, KHOU reports. Mallory drove her back to their apartment and friends of Mallory were waiting inside. Carter Carol Cervantez, 27, enters court Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with defense attorneys Steve Gordon, right, and Bill Ray, not pictured. 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. Keith Morrison. 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 . Patrick Sweet lived in the apartmentbelow Ashlea's apartment and hetold police that he heard a thump, screaming and heavy breathing. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. He was eventually labeled as non-rehirable in the American Eagle system. Both are held on a $100,000 bond. Police believed she saw them talking with Clarence in the car park and walked the two miles home. Her feet and hands were bound with duct tape and she was covered in blood, according to Texas Amarillo Globe-News newspaper. <p>Carter Carol Cervantez, 27, enters court on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with defense attorneys Steve Gordon, right, and Bill Ray, not pictured. Each is charged with one count of capital murder. Carter Carol Cervantez, 26, and Clarence David Mallory, 19, are both being held on $600,000 bond. Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com. The Ashlea Harris murder. He spotted the black Infinity in the apartment parking lot. Documents say the only thing missing from Harris' apartment were her keys, which contained the keys to the American Eagle store as well as the safe. The keys seemed to be the only thing missing from her apartment. Another apartment in the complex was on fire. The investigation revealed that the fire was not accidental and that rubbing alcohol had been poured in different areasthroughout the apartment including on Ashlea's bed. It was the Prosecution's case that Carter and Clarencehad a couple of different reasons to want to harm Ashlea. When she was unable to get in the store the first time she walked back to the car. Theyare in our work places, our friendship groups and sometimes even our homes. Police have charged Carter Cervantez, 25, and her boyfriend Clarence "David" Mallory, 19, with capital murder in the death of Ashlea Harris, 31. Fire investigator, Wallace Hood, with the Ft. Worth Fire Department arrived on the scene around 8:45 am. judgment. Various documents were found. Carter did hold this against Ashlea, because Ashlea was the one that turned them in, said Groen. He thought that somebody had collected Ashlea for work. Clarence David Mallory took the 5th when he was brought in to testify. The surveillance video from the front of the American Eagle store showed that at around 2amonthe 29th of November, someone with a covered face knelt down next to the lock on the gate and attempted to unlock and raise the gate.They were unsuccessful as the locks had been changed. Get Driving Directions to Christina Melton Crain Unit Prison, Texas. It was only at that point that Chris discovered that it was Carter who had hired Clarence and he found out that Clarence hadpreviously worked at an American Eagle store in Amarillo and was listed in the American Eagle system as non-rehireable." On their cell phones, they had images of Ashlea's apartment, her apartment door and her vehicle. August 20, 2021, "Evil people always support each other; that is their chief strength.". carbon monoxide detector went offand he sawwater dripping from the ceiling in his bathroom. She was later found in her apartment complex. They had been dating which was a violation of store policy. The keyring also had the front gate key and store key on them. When he looked out the window he witnessed a dark-colored vehicle driving away. While Cervantes moved six hours away to Fort Worth, Mallory stayed in Amarillo. Next, he heard what sounded like heavy labored breathing. 04:27 GMT 25 Aug 2017. Wallace E. Hood Jr., an arson investigator, told the Court thathe locatedmultiple origins of the fire, including in the bed, on Ashleas body, and in the closet. He testified that when he entered the apartment, itwas full of smoke and water was spraying from the sprinkler system. The Prosecution called Jeff Kayser to testify. Her bond was set at $500,000. The couple had been fired from the American Eagle store at the Hulen Mall after being suspected of stealing nearly $18,000 from the store's safe in August 2014. Police could not find Carter inside the mall even though they saw Clarence drop her off at the door. This Record may not reflect actual, complete, or up-to-date data. Alexis Torres Bunch. She would always find a way at work to make it harder on you, former co-worker Leticia Groen told Snapped.. Cravey fired Cervantez because she had left the store unsecured. 1 Comment, "My family and myself are good, decent and very honest people. Carter Carol Cervantez appeals from her jury conviction for capital murder and automatic life sentence. Read the crime and public safety news your neighbors are talking about. Domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colors and lives in many different communities. Cervantes was allowed to go home. This was two weeks before Ashleas murder. However, things went awry after she hired a teen employee named Clarence David Mallory Jr., then 19, and started dating him, as per local reports. When he went to get her keys he was unable to locate them. Dr. Richard Fries, deputy M.E. They stalked Ashlea Harris like people stalk a deer.". They both pleaded not guilty. Her body was partially burned and she had been beaten. Video surveillance of the mall showed that at 2 am on Saturday morning someone tried to open the security gate at American Eagle. At the police station, police observed that he was wearing a ski mask. The Court heard that police believed that over the course of a few weeks, Carter and Clarence planned to kidnap Ashlea and steal the keys. Police asked Mallory to see his drivers license which he told them he did not have on him. January 17, 2022 She was blamed as the mastermind behind the murder plot by prosecutors. Messages indicate they planned on burying the corpse in an unmarked grace north of Abilene, Texas. 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. They also found another lock labeled lock picking practice lock. Firefighters put out the blaze and found 31-year-old Harris dead on her bedroom floor. Ashlea Harris looked to have severe head trauma. The two disappeared after the theft and were not arrested until police tracked them down on Dec. 6. Wallace also determined that the ignition source was an open flame. She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft.