Police asked Mallory to see his drivers license which he told them he did not have on him. Firefighters found her strangled and burned body early in the morning on Nov. 28. He was also fired per store policy. Alexis left after4am. She also accused the black-hooded male, caught on camera breaking into the store safe and stealing the money, as David. Cervantezs 21 year-old boyfriend Clarence David Mallory has also been charged. 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. Mallory drove the car to another mall exit. He was unable to find a pulse. It was a black Infiniti G35. Jeff was a neighbor and friend of Ashlea's. By 2011, she was an assistant manager at an American Eagle Outfitters store at Fort Worths Hulen Mall. Prosecutors charged Cervantez with murder one and did not seek the death penalty. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. FORT WORTH, Texas -- A woman whose burned body was found in her Fort Worth apartment Thanksgiving weekend had been strangled and beaten, allegedly by former co-workers, according to court documents. It turns out that Clarence was also a former employee of American Eagle. 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. He ruled out accidental causes for the reason for the fire and concluded that the fire was set on purpose. our Backup, Combined Opinion from She is described by the store manager, Chris Cravey, as being a phenomenal employee who was loved by everyone.. It had its lights off as it left the parking space in front of Ashleas apartment. Harris friends told investigators that she had been working around the clock in anticipation of the Black Friday sales event which started that morning. Her feet and hands were bound with duct tape and she was covered in blood, according to Texas. All were missing. 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. They founda plastic tub that contained bungee cords and arope. with the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office testified to Ashlea Harriss cause of death. Law Project, a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. She testified at her own Trial and told the Court that she was afraid of Clarence. One neighbor, Steven Lee, told police that he had a cigarette on his balcony at around 6.30am that morning and saw a car parked outside. He forced her to enter and rob American Eagle at gunpoint and threatened to kill her family if she didnt do what he asked. Carter was arrested the following day by Tarrant County deputies. One week later Cravey called Cervantez. When Ashlea arrived for work she discovered that a theft had occurred sometime overnight. They discovered that Ashlea's missing keys had the store keys on them too. Listen to the story of how Ashlea Harris fought for her life upsetting the plans of two nefarious killers who wanted a big pay off. They were there to get the keys, said Cedillo. She told the Court she did not kill Ashlea and played no part in her death. Clarence David Mallory, 22, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars in the death of Ashlea Ann Harris, 31, in a Fort Worth, Texas, courtroom on Thursday. 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 investigators hypothesized setting the residence on fire had been an abrupt change of plans. 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. She was tentatively identified by her tattoos. David, 27, is incarcerated at the Jim Ferguson Unit in Midway, Texas. During a break in questioning, Cervantes was given a bottle of water and left alone in the interrogation room. Dr Richard Fries, a deputy medical examiner at the Tarrant County Medical. On November 29th search warrants were obtained for Cervantez and Mallorys apartment, the black Infinity, and Mallorys Cadillac. He noticed it because he never saw it parked there before. And in Fort Worth, Carter Carol Cervantez begins to rethink her priorities when she finds love at the workplace. 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. At 6:56 am Alexis noticed a missed call from Ashlea. The following opinions cover similar topics: CourtListener is a project of Free In August 2014, a hooded burglar had stolen $18,000 from the American Eagle Hulen Mall store following Texas Sales Tax Holiday Weekend. This was done while Chris Cravey was out on medical leave. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. 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. out-of-date, incorrect offense/sentence details, record expunged, etc), please send an email to: Violent Offenders: Evidence and Treatment, Prison Suicide: Methods, Risk, and Prevention, Executions and Execution Rates (by State), Childhood Psychopathy Scale (CPS) (41-Item Version), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Jung Self-Rating Scale for Depression (SDS), Borderline Personality Disorder Self-Report, California Psychological Inventory (Socialization), Correctional Mental Health Screening for Men, Black Guerilla Family: Prison Gang Profile, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-COG), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form) (GDS-SF), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD or HAM-D), Ohio Risk Assessment System - Pretrial (ORAS-PAT), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), University of Rhode Island Change Assessment(URICA), Christina Melton Crain Unit Prison, Texas Inmates & Offenders, https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=50612977, Search is on for inmate accidentally released from Colorado jail, Search for Escaped Inmate in Ellis County, Search underway after inmate escapes in Sabine Parish, Three inmates escape Athens County correctional facility, one apprehended, Man Accused of Helping Callahan County Inmate Escape Self-Surrenders, Oklahoma DOC unveils new inmate search feature, Search continues for Inmate who escaped from Lawrence County work release, Correctional Facility or Supervision Authority, Department of Corrections Inmate / Offender Record. 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. Carter Carol Cervantez. There are predators everywhere. There was a significant amount of blood around her body which indicated she had been beaten and her hands were bound with duct tape behind her back. Firefighters put out the blaze and found 31-year-old Harris dead on her bedroom floor. Alexis Torres Bunch.
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. On the day after Thanksgiving known in the retail world as Black Friday Harris's. Upon searching Mallorys cell phone there were text messages that contained latitude and longitude coordinates. He met his girlfriend Carter Cervantez there. Another neighbor, Patrick Sweet, also testified. The two disappeared after the theft and were not arrested until police tracked them down on Dec. 6. The jury did not believe her. Joyce Marshall jlmarshall@star-telegram.com FORT WORTH. Police believed they were used for practice as theywerelabeled lock picking practice lock.. The M.E. Chris looked at Clarence'spersonnel fileanddiscovered thatwhen Carterhired him, she changed his Social Security number and his name in the system so that it would not be detected or show up any red flags. Investigators determined the fire started in Harris bedroom and that rubbing alcohol had been used as an accelerant, despite its low flammability. A. loaded Glock 19 with a bullet in the chamber was found under the driver's seat. 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. Harris boss told investigators the car was similar to a vehicle owned by former American Eagle Outfitters employee Carter Cervantes. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! He followed them as Mallory drove to the Hulen Mall. No charges were filed against the two. Like Harris, Cervantez was an assistant manager. Harris' hands and feet were bound in duct tape, reports CBS affiliate KHOU, which cites court documents filed by Fort Worth police. Inside he found 2 shovels and a box of plastic sheeting. Hetestified that it looked like a human grave. 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." Wallace also determined that the ignition source was an open flame. 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. One of Harris friends had stopped by after Ashlea got off work on Thanksgiving night and stayed until around 5 a.m. 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. Rousseau added: 'Imagine the horror, someone is probably sitting on you while someone else is taping up your hands and then your ankles. There are a lot of people at her apartment complex, which says a lot about the defendants in this case.'. Cervantez also testified that Mallory raped her when she didn't do what he wanted. 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. Police "developed probable cause" to make the arrests, according to a release. arrived on the scene. Carter Carol Cervantez appeals from her jury conviction for capital murder and automatic life sentence. Both are held on a $100,000 bond. Cervantes was later located at her apartment and agreed to meet with detectives. 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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. All were missing. ", by Chilling Crimes He testified that the presence of. Mark Sedwick, a special agent with the FBI and a member of the Cellular Analysis Survey Team, testified as to the content of texts that had been sent at 11.52amon the 28th of November between Clarence's phoneandCarter's phone: Carter's phone-Hey, remember that thing you said I didnt clean well?Did you clean it? She switched his first name with his middle name and changed two digits of his social security number. None known, Docket Number: Ashlea Harris was outgoing and personable while the other assistant store manager, Carter was more straight-laced and reserved. He spotted the black Infinity in the apartment parking lot. Home 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. Police began talking to neighbors including Patrick Sweet, who told them about the unusual sounds he heard coming from Ashleas apartment that morning. He was able to unlock the trunk of Mallorys Cadillac using keys found in the black Infiniti. Prosecutors laid out a case that Cervantez wanted revenge and payback for getting fired. So why did they kill Ashlea? Carter's case was heard first. | Privacy Statement. Police found burn marks on her body and she had been strangled and her throat wasslit. August 20, 2021, "Evil people always support each other; that is their chief strength.". She said that she did not. Carter's testimony also included an account of a time that she claimed she was raped by two men. 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. She was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole on May 26, 2016. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Both denied knowing anything about the homicide and claimed to be together on Thanksgiving, having dinner and watching movies. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cervantes was allowed to go home. 23:46 GMT 24 Aug 2017 She purchased what Im going to describe as a murder kit, said Rousseau. Fort Worth Police arrested two suspects in the November 28 murder of Ashlea Harris. It was then he saw a body. 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. At that point is where it all becomes apparent why they killed Ashlea Harris. Police could not find Carter inside the mall even though they saw Clarence drop her off at the door. Prosecutors also showed evidence that Cervantez and Mallory were planning to rob the American Eagle in Abilene (where they had previously worked). She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft. He continued to lie in bed wondering what was going on in his upstairs neighbors apartment (Ashleas apartment). Cervantes had hired 19-year-old David Mallory and soon began dating him, in violation of company policy. . Malloy is being held in a Potter County Jail and will be. Under the drivers seat was a 9mm Glock with a round still in the chamber. The Prosecutor,Kevin Rousseau,told the Jury: "There are no good murders.
He thought that somebody had collected Ashlea for work. Our district manager basically gave her the option to quit or to get transferred, said Groen. When she tried to call her back Ashlea didnt pick up. It didn't last long. In addition, we got Ashleas DNA on this gun that was in Carter Cervantes car, said Kevin Rousseau. The next day, Mallory drove her back to try again. 2023 Chilling Crimes. The State waived their right to seekthe death penalty and instead looked forlife in prison without parole. I need to take care ofthat. A key belonging to another assistant store manager was left in the night deposit box. This case has not yet been cited in our system. This Record may not reflect actual, complete, or up-to-date data. Ashlea has suffered numerous injuries to her face and head indicating that there were multiple blows. She was taken to the station for questioning. Harris hands and feet were bound with duct tape, police said. It was the Prosecution's case that Carter and Clarencehad a couple of different reasons to want to harm Ashlea. In addition, he did not call in to request off. Kevin Rousseau, Tarrant County prosecutor, said of their crime: 'At a minimum this took at least a month of planning. Precedential, Citations: 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. He asked him why he was in the parking lot so early in the morning. 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. Dr Friesexplained that cricoid fractures are seen mostly in motor vehicle accidents or something involving a significant amount of force. 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. She was sentenced / adjudicated in Runnels County, Winters. 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. At the police station, police observed that he was wearing a ski mask. . A 911 call was made by a resident at an apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas, United States to ask for help. I said, Thats Ashleas tattoo,' said Naylor. Fire investigator, Wallace Hood, with the Ft. Worth Fire Department arrived on the scene around 8:45 am. Investigators believe the fire was an abrupt change in plan. Carter Carol Cervantes worked as a store manager of an American Eagle Outfitters outlet in Amarillo, Texas. He opened a window in the bedroom to air it out. / CBS News/AP. . Around 8 am Ft. Worth Fire Department Lt. Jarrod Pavlechko arrived on the scene. He heard the door of Ashlea's apartment close and when he looked out his window, he saw a, black Infiniti G35 driving away. They are not hiding in shadows. The Barista Express grinds, foams milk, and produces the silkiest espresso at the perfect temperature. 27-year-old old Carter Carol Cervantez is on trial for capital murder in the. 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> reunited in Fort Worth and moved in together. Detective Cedillo spoke to Chris Cravey, who was Ashleas boss at American Eagle, and asked if he knew anyone who drove a black Infinity. Ashlea worked on November 27th from 5:30 pm until 3:12 am to prep the store for Black Friday. He told the Court thathe sawa black Infiniti G35 with a faded Toll tag sticker on its roof parked outside. Harris and other workers helped identify them as suspects, KHOU reports. She told police that she didnot leave the apartment complex at all that day. The Black Infiniti G35 was searched by Officer J.J. The fire had been extinguished by then. The couple bound Harris, brutally beat her and burned her body and apartment building in order to take the woman's store keys and steal $50,000. 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. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. She denied being at the Hulen Mall that morning. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. Steven W. Conder. Law enforcement officials arrested 19-year-old Clarence Malloy and 25-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez in the murder of Ashlea Harris, the victim of an early morning fire.