At that point, the firefighters had arrived. A 911 call was made by a resident at an apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas, United States to ask for help. The Jury heard that a. t 6.56am,Alexishad a missed call from Ashlea and when she noticed it, Another neighbor, Patrick Sweet, also testified. by Chilling Crimes By
Her truck was still in the apartment complexs parking lot. November 8th, 2018, Precedential Status: As word of the fire spread throughout the community, Harris friends rushed to the scene, desperate for information. This was most likely a lighter and the accelerant was rubbing alcohol. She quickly walks away. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. December 10, 2014 / 11:07 AM But prosecutors said Cervantez planned the crime, which involved stealing Harris' keys to the American Eagle Outfitters store at Hulen Mall in Fort Worth so the couple could take the cash from the store. Murder trial begins in slaying of Hulen Mall store employee Steven W. Conder. They also found a toboggan with a hole cut in it, a tarp stillinside the package and a kitchen knife. Keith Morrison. It matched Ashlea Harris' DNA. Detective Cedillo decided to stake out Cervantez and Mallorys apartment arriving around 3:45 am on Saturday, November 29, 2014. His name was Clarence David Mallory. In her testimony, Cervantez describes abusive behavior from Mallory, who she says threatened to kill her family if she didnt comply with his orders. Harris was found dead in her apartment several hours later when firefighters responded to a fire alarm. According to news reports, Carter was an assistant store manager at the time, along with 31-year-oldAshlea Ann Harris. Cervantez is arrested in Lubbock and Mallory is taken into custody in Amarillo. The day after Thanksgiving Day. Outcome: Having overruled all three of Cervantezs points, we affirm the trial courts She came from a blended family. Both suspects were booked . One of the investigators alleged, It was evident to us that Carter was the mastermind behind this and I think David was the muscle. The Prosecution called Jeff Kayser to testify. Carter Carol Cervantez appeals from her jury conviction for capital murder and automatic life sentence. Police found burn marks on her body and she had been strangled and her throat wasslit. But Carter never forgave Ashlea, with Leticia saying, She was the one that you wanted to like you because if you got on her bad side, there was no coming back from it. The Court heard that the car was still there when Steven left for work after 7.30am. Detective Jerry Cedillo with the Ft. Worth Police Department Homicide Unit arrived at 10:22 am. Hetestified that it looked like a human grave. The only thing missing from Ashlea's apartment were her keys. 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. All were missing. It took them just two hours to find her guilty and she was sentenced tolife in prison without parole. Patrick testified that he thought about what he should do. Does Alan Cumming Really Live in a Scottish Castle? The two disappeared after the theft and were not arrested until police tracked them down on Dec. 6. 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." 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. This was different. 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.". Domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colors and lives in many different communities. The Prosecution claimed that person was Carter. The State waived their right to seekthe death penalty and instead looked forlife in prison without parole. She then walks to American Eagle and goes out of view. Harris was an assistant manager at the store. Another neighbor also told police something disturbing. Clarence David Mallory, 22, would meet a similar fate in August 2017. Cervantezs 21 year-old boyfriend Clarence David Mallory has also been charged. 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. Forth Worth was originally settled in 1849 as a US Army outpost to protect pioneers settling out west. It showed Cervantez buying two shovels, a rope, bungee cords, gloves, and a tarp. Shes the one that coordinated everything and came up with the plan, said Cedillo. The Jury heard that Clarence was arrested in the car park at the mall . Clarence David Mallory took the 5th when he was brought in to testify. Wallace also determined that the ignition source was an open flame. our Backup, Combined Opinion from 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. A few minutes later, Patrick'scarbon monoxide detector went offand he sawwater dripping from the ceiling in his bathroom. The following opinions cover similar topics: CourtListener is a project of Free He determined that Ashlea'scause of death was asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head and neck. And in Fort Worth, career-driven Carter Carol Cervantez begins to rethink her priorities when she finds love at the workplace. 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. It didn't last long. Harris friends told investigators that she had been working around the clock in anticipation of the Black Friday sales event which started that morning. Police also saw what appeared to be a fresh injury to his lower lip and his lower lip was swollen. It was the proceeds from the sales during the recently concludedTexas Sales Tax Holiday Weekend in August. Ashlea Ann Harris loved working in retail where she could meet new people every day. Around 7:30 am several residents of the River Ranch Apartments located at 4701 King Ranch Road called 911 to report smoke coming from apartment #1505. A few minutes later, Patrick's. Cervantez is being held in the Fort Worth Jail. On the 24th of August 2014, at 1.14am, $18000 was stolen from the safe in the American Eagle store. He testified that when he entered the apartment, it, was full of smoke and water was spraying from the sprinkler system. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that 27-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez was convicted of capital murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison . Ashlea Harris - Chilling Crimes Carter Carol Cervantez faces capital murder charges in connection with the death of Ashlea Harris. She was the youngest of three girls. Precedential, Citations: She told the Court she did not kill Ashlea and played no part in her death. Mallory drove the car to another mall exit. Harris' hands and feet were bound in duct tape, reports CBS affiliate KHOU, which cites court documents filed by Fort Worth police. Fire investigator, Wallace Hood, with the Ft. Worth Fire Department arrived on the scene around 8:45 am. Cervantes also received a sentence of life without parole at a. He was able to unlock the trunk of Mallorys Cadillac using keys found in the black Infiniti. Ashlea Harris worked as an assistant store manager for American Eagle Outfitters located in the Hulen Mall. Chris was in the parking lot and had been talking to Alexis Torres, who was the last person to talk to Ashlea Harris. Police believed they were used for practice as theywerelabeled lock picking practice lock.. Ashley Harris - Murdered By American Eagle Co-Workers - CDP Harris boss told investigators the car was similar to a vehicle owned by former American Eagle Outfitters employee Carter Cervantes. 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. previously worked at an American Eagle store in Amarillo and was listed in the American Eagle system as, Ashlea suspended Carter and one week later, Chris called Carter and told her. Cervantez received life in prison without the possibility of parole. There was no smoke in her lungs indicating she was not alive when the fire was set. . From what he could make out it was a female lying face down on the floor in front of the bed. Today it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. He noticed it because he never saw it parked there before. She was later found in her apartment complex. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. She claimed she spent Thanksgiving cooking dinner for her and Mallory and they watched movies afterward. He heard a scream at around 7.30am. 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. 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. This manager did not close the store that night and did not appear to have the same build as the person in the video. He told police that Carter had gone into the mall to collect some papers but when police searched the mall, she wasn't there. In August 2014, a hooded burglar had stolen $18,000 from the American Eagle Hulen Mall store following Texas Sales Tax Holiday Weekend. When Detective Cedillo follows up with a manager who happened to be in that morning at Aeropostale, he told police that Carter Cervantez did not work there. The most likely thing that caused that was being pistol whipped.. He told the Court that he lived in an apartment justbelow Ashleas apartment. Close to $18,000 was missing from the safe. Cervantes had worked at American Eagle Outfitters for several years and managed a store in Amarillo, Texas. 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 . She also accused the black-hooded male, caught on camera breaking into the store safe and stealing the money, as David. Police asked Mallory to see his drivers license which he told them he did not have on him. Who Killed Her? Ashlea Harris Killed By Former Hulen Mall Employees | Crime News And in Fort Worth, Carter Carol Cervantez begins to rethink her priorities when she finds love at the workplace. At that location, Detective Cedillo found what he describes as a human grave. In addition, we got Ashleas DNA on this gun that was in Carter Cervantes car, said Kevin Rousseau. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content.
And when she did not do what she was told, they returned to their apartment, where Mallorys friends raped her repeatedly, Cervantez testified. Carter Carol Cervantez was arrested Dec. 6, 2014. After Ashlea Harris pointed to David Mallory and Carter Cervantes as the most likely culprits to have robbed an American Eagle store, the couple was furious. 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. Im so sorry I forgot. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. They went to the store as planned on the Saturday morning with the keys but the lockshad already been changed. Police: Texas woman strangled by fmr. co-workers - CBS News Ashlea has suffered numerous injuries to her face and head indicating that there were multiple blows. They found a lock in a kitchen drawer and a TASER box and some strands of duct tape in the trash. Ashlea Ann Harris was murdered Nov. 28, 2014, by Clarence David Mallory, 22, and his co-defendant, Carter Carol Cervantes, 28. Law Project, a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. Her body was partially burned and she had been beaten. 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. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. 'They slash her throat and then, when she is finally dead, they set her place on fire. Malloy is being held in a Potter County Jail and will be. She told the Jury that he controlled her and even told her when she could eat or drink. 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. Each is charged with one count of capital murder. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. 02-16-00224-CR. rely on donations for our financial security. 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Police also found a damaged deadbolt lock,two other locks that had been used for practice. When she tried to call her back Ashlea didnt pick up. 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. I became interested in this case after listening to Dateline Podcast from November 29, 2019 episode entitled Black Friday. I had some questions that werent answered on the show and thought Id see what I could find. February 04, 2022, "The criminal justice system will take a hard look at what happened to Matthew Eappen. Where Are Carter Cervantez and David Mallory Today? Update I didnt touch it. Ashlea suspended Carter and one week later, Chris called Carter and told herthat she had beenterminated for leaving the store unsecured. However, the police arrested David in the mall parking area after finding he carried no license, and officers went to their apartment and brought Carter in for questioning. Carter Carol Cervantez Archives - TV One 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. Filed: He called 911 as he realized there must be a fire. Jeff Kayser to testify. Many retailers have special markdowns and people lose their minds trying to snatch up the bargains. Harris autopsy pointed to a rage killing. On December 4, 2014, arrest warrants were issued for Carter Carol Cervantez and Clarence David Mallory Jr. They were scheduled to make a deposit that morning of the proceeds from the Black Friday sales. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft. Alexis usually watched Ashleas dog Nala when she worked. 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: January 25, 2022, "The effects of abuse are devastating and far reaching. He thought that somebody had collected Ashlea for work. He testified that he wokethat morning when he heardthe sound of the fire alarms. They discovered that Ashlea's missing keys had the store keys on them too. 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. On Tax Free Weekend and Black Friday, those were our highest deposit days, said Groen. 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. Blood was found on the floor mats of Cervantes car. Clarence and Carter wereboth charged with capital murder. He took photos of the various items found in the car. She was inside getting some paperwork she needed to complete. Defendant in American Eagle Murder Says She Was Coerced By - Jezebel There were also no signs that a taser had been used on her. 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. Ashlea Harris killer Clarence Mallory gets life in prison The deposit was somewhere between $40,000 to $50,000. For more on this case and others like it, watch "Snapped," airing Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen, or stream episodes here. reunited in Fort Worth and moved in together. Kevin Rousseau, Tarrant County prosecutor, said of their crime: 'At a minimum this took at least a month of planning. Cervantes had hired 19-year-old David Mallory and soon began dating him, in violation of company policy. 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. This key was not in the trash during the first search. She told police that she didnot leave the apartment complex at all that day. Police say Harris worked a late night Black Friday shift at the American Eagle store in a mall in Fort Worth and arrived home around 3:15 a.m. A neighbor below Harris told police that he heard a thump, screaming and heavy breathing around 7:30 a.m. His carbon monoxide detector then went off, and water from the sprinklers in Harris' apartment came through his ceiling.