18-Year Old Charged In Amanda Blackburn Rape And Murder

Larry Taylor (left) and Jalen Watson (right)

The investigation of a deadly home invasion in a northwest side Indianapolis home less than two weeks ago that garnered international attention has now produced its first arrest. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has arrested 18-year old Larry Taylor on preliminary charges of sexual assault and murder in connection with the murder of Amanda Blackburn according to Fox 59 News. Taylor is one of four young men police questioned last week in connection with the murder, three of whom are now in police custody.

According to Fox 59 News, Taylor had been released last week after being taken into custody for questioning in the Blackburn murder. Two other men questioned last week are also in police custody on parole violations facing charges in connection with a recent crime spree police say the trio committed, including Jalen Watson (21) and Diano Gordon (24). All three are expected to be charged on unrelated burglary charges, including a rape that took place during a recent home invasion at Westlake Apartments. The three suspects were living at Westlake Apartments where they allegedly committed a rape and robbery until recently moving into an address on San Clemente Drive where police say surveillance cameras captured two of the suspects burglarizing another apartment.

Detectives believe the three men entered the Blackburn home, which was unlocked, shortly after Amanda Blackburn's husband, Davey Blackburn, left the home to go to the gym. The men allegedly confronted Blackburn upon entering the home. The young men are also believed to have burglarized a home two doors down from the Blackburn home shortly before entering the Blackburn home. The men left the home shortly before Davey Blackburn returned home from the gym at 8:30 a.m. by which point police had already responded to the break-in at the neighbor's home. A fourth person with knowledge of the crimes initially questioned by police has been released.

According to Fox 59 News, two of the suspects left Blackburn's home with her ATM card while Taylor remained behind to rape and kill Blackburn. A neighbor's surveillance camera captured one of the suspects, presumably Taylor, leaving the Blackburn home. Police early on ruled out Blackburn's husband, a pastor at the Resonate Church the couple helped found after moving to Indianapolis a few years ago from South Carolina. Blackburn, who gave multiple national interviews last week about his wife's killing, was ruled out early on as a suspect in the case.

IMPD released the following statement from Chief Rick Hite regarding the investigation:

"We are thankful to our federal, state and local partnerships that aided in the apprehension of the suspect in this terrible and senseless crime. All victims of criminal homicides deserve closure, and as a community we must send a collective message that violence is not an option," IMPD Chief Rick Hite said in a statement. "Our detectives have worked tirelessly going days without sleep to solve murders in our city. With the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler and Prosecutor Terry Curry justice will be done!"

Earlier this month, Susie Gilley, a resident of Westlake Apartments where the accused men lived until recently, complained to WRTV about the lack of security at the apartment complex owned by Flaherty & Collins in the wake of recent crimes, including the rape and robbery of a 21-year old resident earlier this month. Three days after being interviewed by WRTV, Gilley returned home to her apartment with her husband to find her apartment had been burglarized. Her TVs, laptop and class ring were gone. "I came back home, my front door was open," she said. "My whole life had changed. "I have not slept since then. I just feel like I have been deprived of everything."

UPDATE: Davey Blackburn released the following statement on news of the arrests:

Though it does not undo the pain we are feeling, I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest made last night of Amanda’s killer. The investigators have assured me they have a solidly-built case to ensure justice is levied and the process is expedited. The family and I couldn’t be more thankful for the level of compassion and professionalism the IMPD and investigators have shown us through the last couple of weeks. My hope is for 3 things in the weeks and months to come: 

(1) That the court system would have wisdom on how to prosecute this man, so that no one else endures the pain Amanda and our family have had to endure because of his actions. 

(2) That through all of this and although there will be great consequences for his actions, he would become truly sorry for what he has done and would even begin to experience the life-transforming power of the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ. 

(3) That Jesus would give me and our family a heart of forgiveness. 

Though everything inside of me wants to hate, be angry, and slip into despair I choose the route of forgiveness, grace and hope. If there is one thing I’ve learned from Amanda in the 10 years we were together, it’s this: Choosing to let my emotions drive my decisions is recipe for a hopeless and fruitless life. Today I am deciding to love, not hate. Today I am deciding to extend forgiveness, not bitterness. Today I am deciding to hope, not despair. By Jesus’ power at work within us, the best is STILL yet to come. Even when I don’t see it, I believe it to be true.

UPDATE II: An observant Advance Indiana reader asks how Taylor, Watson and Gordan could be responsible for the Blackburn home invasion and murder if they were also responsible for a home invasion in the 5700 block of San Clemente Drive that occurred at the exact same time on the morning of November 10. I'm looking at a Fox 59 News report from November 11 describing a home break-in that occurred at 5:30 a.m. that Tuesday morning involving at least three suspects while the home's resident and her two daughters were still sleeping. "According to police, several suspects broke into a home in the 5700 block of San Clemente Drive around 5:30 Tuesday morning while the residents slept," the Fox 59 News report reads. The victim' Chrysler Sebring car, credit cards, computer and cell phone were stolen. "They came in through a patio door," said the home's owner, Jacola Searsbrook. The apartment complex, Cottages of Fall Creek, had experienced a half dozen break-ins during the past month according to the report. Police released surveillance video that caught the intruders during the break-in. One of the suspects shown in the surveillance camera image is dressed just like the one of the suspects in the Blackburn murder surveillance image released by IMPD.

Surveillance image from the Cottages of Fall Creek Apartments break-in on November 11

Now here's what Fox 59 News is reporting today regarding the suspects' connection to the Cottage at Fall Creek apartments where they were now living after moving out of the Westlake Apartments:

Authorities said the men referred to themselves as “The Kill Gang.”

Detectives have collected evidence linking the trio to a previous rape and robbery at the Westlake Apartments, where the suspects were living until early November, sources say. The men then moved to an address on San Clemente Drive, where detectives believe two of the suspects were captured on a surveillance video burglarizing a neighbor’s apartment. A silver Chrysler Sebring was stolen from that location. Investigators later found DNA linking the suspects to that case.

The trio will also be charged with a burglary that occurred earlier that day near the Blackburn’s home. Surveillance video shows at least one of the suspects in that community around the time of the burglary.

Now a police report for the break-in at the home a few doors down from the Blackburn home indicates that break-in occurred at 5:30 a.m. and reported by the home's owner on November 10 at 9:12 a.m. That home is located at 2830 Sunnyfield Court in the same subdivision of the Blackburn home. Patrol officers Elise Torres and Jon Walls said the homeowner, Alison Becker, came home to find her home burglarized and items taken from it, including TVs, computers and jewelry. The Blackburns' home is located at 2812 Sunnyfield Court, which is on a cul-de-sac where Sunnyfield Court comes to a dead end just a few houses down the street from Becker's home. News reports indicate Davey Blackburn left his home at 6:10 a.m. to go to the gym. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots at 6:45 a.m. and later saw a dark-colored SUV speeding away from the scene. Davey returned home at around 8:30 a.m. to discover his wife shot in the head. Perhaps Fox 59 News has the wrong date on the Cottage at Fall Creeks break-in. If someone can clear up this discrepancy, please let us know; otherwise, I don't see how these suspects could be at two different places on opposite sides of town at the same time.

Here are the charges 21-year old Larry Taylor is facing according to Marion Co. court records:

35-42-1-1(1): Murder
35-43-4-2.5(b)(1)/F6: Auto Theft where intent is to deprive owner of value or use of vehicle (stole
35-43-2-1/F4:Burglary Burglary of a dwelling
35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
35-47-2-1/MA: Carrying a Handgun Without a License
35-42-1-1(2): Murder
35-42-1-1(2): Murder
35-43-2-1/F1:Burglary , but serious bodily injury occurs and burglary was to a dwelling.
35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
35-42-5-1(1)/F2: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Injury to someone other than a defendant
35-42-3-3(a)/F3: Criminal Confinement while armed with a deadly weapon.
35-43-2-1/F4:Burglary Burglary of a dwelling
35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.

Court records also show Taylor had been arrested last June on misdemeanor charges of public indecency and public nudity. Below is the video of the original police press conference on November 13 laying out the timeline of events.
13 WTHR Indianapolis

UPDATE III: At a press conference just concluded by Marion Co. Prosecutor Terry Curry and IMPD it was announced that there was not sufficient evidence to file sexual assault-related charges against Larry Taylor, the 18-year old accused of burglarizing and killing Amanda Blackburn, although other formal charges, including murder, have been filed against two men in police custody, Larry Taylor and Jalen Watson. A probable cause affidavit says the accused tried making several withdrawals of cash using an ATM card belonging to Blackburn. Curry told reporters a significant break in the case occurred when DNA found on a pink sweater matched that of Jalen Watson, one of the other suspects being charged along with Larry Taylor, after being held by police on parole violations following questioning in Blackburn's murder. The sweater is one allegedly matches one worn by Watson while attempting to withdraw money using Blackburn's ATM card. The third suspect, Diano Gordon, has not yet been charged with anything, although he's also being held on parole violations for the time-being. Watson and Gordon both have past convictions for burglary. The important take-away here is that Curry reiterated that the crimes on San Clemente Drive and Sunnyfield Court on opposite sides of the city were committed by Taylor, Watson and Gordon on November 10. The timeline will be critical as noted above since the time of both the San Clemente Drive and the first Sunnyfield Court break-ins were pegged at 5:30 a.m. How is that possible? View the press conference by clicking here.

Here are the charges Watson is facing:

35-42-1-1(2): Murder35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
35-42-1-1(2): Murder
35-43-2-1/F1:Burglary , but serious bodily injury occurs and burglary was to a dwelling.
35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
35-42-5-1(1)/F2: Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Injury to someone other than a defendant
35-43-2-1/F4:Burglary Burglary of a dwelling35-43-4-2(a)/F6: Theft where value of property is between $750 & $50k.
35-43-4-2.5(b)(1)/F6: Auto Theft where intent is to deprive owner of value or use of vehicle (stolen)
35-43-2-1/F4:Burglary Burglary of a dwelling

Here is a description of events released in a press release from the Marion Co. Prosecutor's Office:

According to the probable cause affidavit, Taylor, Watson and a third individual are accused of committing two burglaries prior to entering the Blackburn residence on the morning of November 10. An automobile was stolen during the course of the first burglary, as well as personal items. The second burglary occurred near the Blackburn residence. Taylor and Watson are believed to then have entered the Blackburn home through an unlocked front door. 

As further alleged in the probable cause affidavit, Watson and the third individual are believed to have left the Blackburn home in the stolen vehicle, driving to an ATM with Amanda Blackburn’s debit card. The two were in communication with Taylor, who was still at the home, via cell phones. Taylor was later picked up from the Blackburn home and all three individuals left the scene prior to the victim’s husband returning to the home. 

After leaving the scene, Larry Taylor is alleged to have stated to witnesses that he killed Amanda Blackburn. Blackburn’s cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the back of the head. She is believed to have been shot three times, including a gunshot wound to the left arm and a gunshot wound which entered and exited her upper back.  

Jalen Watson has been charged with Murder, Burglary (Level 1 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 2 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony) and Theft (Level 6 Felony).

Larry Jo Taylor Jr. has been charged with Murder, Burglary (Level 1 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 2 Felony), Criminal Confinement (Level 3 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony), Burglary (Level 4 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony) and Carrying a Handgun without a License (Class A Misdemeanor).

According to the probable cause affidavit, Watson and Gordon allegedly claimed during their police interrogation that Taylor admitted to killing Blackburn while they left to use the ATM card to withdraw money. Taylor's and Watson's cases have been assigned to the Marion Superior Court, Division 5 Criminal Court, which is overseen by Judge Grant Hawkins, who was suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court for 60 days without pay due in 2009 as a result of a finding of judicial misconduct against him by the high court for delays in handling post-conviction relief cases.

Here's the timeline WRTV constructed for November 10, which doesn't explain how the accused were committing separate home invasions around 5:30 in the morning on opposite sides of Indianapolis many miles apart. WRTV leaves out the police report of the first home invasion on Sunnyfield Court, which says it occurred at 5:30 a.m. Remember, the suspects had time at the San Clemente Drive apartment to steal numerous personal items found in the apartment, including computer, credit card and a cell phone, in addition to the victim's automobile, which was a Chrylser Sebring, not a dark-colored SUV police described the vehicle driven by the suspects.

5:23 a.m. – Security camera footage captures three subjects breaking into a home on San Clemente Drive. The thieves steal a laptop, purse and a 2007 Chrysler Sebring.

6:40 a.m. – A resident on Sunnyfield Court hears two gunshots and what sounds like a woman scream.

6:54 a.m. – A $400 withdrawal is made on Amanda Blackburn's Chase debit card at an ATM on the 1300 block of 86th Street. 7:05 a.m. – Resident on 2900 block of Sunnyfield Court sees a black male wearing all black walking north with a T-shirt pulled up over his face.

7:10 a.m. – Resident on 2800 block of Sunmeadow Way sees "like white late model Chrysler Sebring" pull up and a black male wearing a hoody get inside.

7:53 a.m. – Amanda Blackburn's phone receives a voicemail alert from Chase bank warning of suspicious activity on her debit card.

8:17 a.m. – A resident on the 2800 block of Sunnyfield Court calls 911 to report a burglary at her home. Four televisions and a MacBook Pro were stolen, along with a bag of oranges. The suspects also "drank beer and wine and left the bottles in the home."

8:22 a.m. – Davey Blackburn calls 911, reporting he's found his wife injured and unconscious on the living room floor of their home on Sunnyfield Court.

UPDATE IV: The official charging documents have changed the timeline first announced after the initial home invasions. Police and prosecutors now say the initial break-in on San Clemente Drive occurred at 4:30 a.m., not 5:30 a.m. according to the Indianapolis Star:

The timeline detailed in charging documents began around 4:30 a.m. the day Blackburn was shot, when a woman living about 10 miles from the Blackburn home awoke to find her apartment burglarized. She told police that burglars stole her cellphone, laptop, purse, keys and 2007 Chevrolet Sebring. The woman’s security system, court documents say, took pictures of three people.

Police claim the Sebring became a getaway vehicle as the suspects drove across town to burglarize more homes in the 2800 block of Sunnyfield Court. One home on that block was burglarized around 5:30 a.m. Court documents say the men ripped a window screen and unlocked a patio door before stealing a laptop, Tiffany pearl necklace, pink sweater, bag of oranges, four televisions and other items.

The Blackburn home, two doors down on Sunnyfield, was targeted next. Police said the suspects entered the unlocked door after Davey Blackburn left to go to a gym at 6:11 a.m.