They also found another lock labeled lock picking practice lock. After he missed three scheduled shifts after the burglary, he and her lover were terminated, and Carters managers keys were confiscated. This case has not yet been cited in our system. Cervantes helped Mallory falsify documents so she could hire him at the Hulen Mall location where she worked with Harris. At 6:56 am Alexis noticed a missed call from Ashlea. NBCs Black Friday chronicles how Ashlea Harris was murdered by two spiteful former co-workers, Carter Cervantez and David Mallory, in Fort Worth, Texas, in November 2014. The two men, who were strangers to her, were invited into the apartment by Clarence and she was raped by both of them. They found a lock in a kitchen drawer and a TASER box and some strands of duct tape in the trash. Forth Worth was originally settled in 1849 as a US Army outpost to protect pioneers settling out west. They founda plastic tub that contained bungee cords and arope. So why did they kill Ashlea? Precedential, Citations: It matched Ashlea Harris' DNA. The Court also heardpolicefoundlatitude and longitude coordinates on the cell phones. He was able to unlock the trunk of Mallorys Cadillac using keys found in the black Infiniti. He told the Court thathe sawa black Infiniti G35 with a faded Toll tag sticker on its roof parked outside. Today, Ft. Worth is a thriving city of approximately 800,000 residents. This was different. 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. Detective Cedillo entered the mall looking for Cervantez but was unable to find her. They went to the store as planned on the Saturday morning with the keys but the lockshad already been changed. They discovered that on Thanksgiving Day, she went to dinner withher friendAlexis Torres and other friends at an apartment inside her complex. Investigators believed Cervantes and Mallory were planning to rob the American Eagle store. She would always find a way at work to make it harder on you, former co-worker Leticia Groen told Snapped.. Jeans with FWPD Crime Scene Unit. 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. She was raised in a large and loving family and made friends wherever she went. Dr Friesexplained that cricoid fractures are seen mostly in motor vehicle accidents or something involving a significant amount of force. Cervantez is arrested in Lubbock and Mallory is taken into custody in Amarillo. Dr. Richard Fries, deputy M.E. Carter Carol Cervantez, 27, enters court Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with defense attorneys Steve Gordon, right, and Bill Ray, not pictured. Steven W. Conder. This was two weeks before Ashleas murder. Water was spraying from the overhead sprinkling system, but Ashlea did not answer when he called out to her. 'They slash her throat and then, when she is finally dead, they set her place on fire. Carter Carol Cervantez v. State - CourtListener.com Carter Carol Cervantez v. State, 02-16-00224-CR (Tex. Patrick thought that perhaps someone had come to pick Ashlea Harris up for work as her pick-up truck remained in its parking space. Law Project, a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. She told Chris police were asking about an Infiniti G35. Officers found Mallory waiting in Cervantes car in the Hulen Mall parking lot and took him into custody. 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. In addition, we got Ashleas DNA on this gun that was in Carter Cervantes car, said Kevin Rousseau. Carter's phone:Well, damn. He then radioed for police and a crime scene unit to come to the scene. Cervantes had worked at American Eagle Outfitters for several years and managed a store in Amarillo, Texas. Ashlea Ann Harris was murdered Nov. 28, 2014, by Clarence David Mallory, 22, and his co-defendant, Carter Carol Cervantes, 28. ", Sign up to get the latest true crime stories, new product releases and more, Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more . The apartment belonged to 31-year-old Ashlea Harris who resided there with her dog, Nala. Carter was a former employee at the American Eagle store where Ashlea worked but she was fired in August. The following correctional supervision record (the "Record") was collected from the official state department of corrections website (see below for source link). On December 4, 2014, arrest warrants were issued for Carter Carol Cervantez and Clarence David Mallory Jr. 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. She is described by the store manager, Chris Cravey, as being a phenomenal employee who was loved by everyone.. Jason Kidd hopes Mavs star stays patient in preseason play, Spring training cuts are incoming, but these Rangers prospects have impressed in camp. The keys seemed to be the only thing missing from her apartment. 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. Helived downstairs and diagonally across from Ashlea. He observed. Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com. On December 4, 2014, arrest warrants were issued for Carter Carol Cervantez and Clarence David Mallory Jr. The trial for the horrific murder of an American Eagle employee on Black Friday began this week in Fort Worth, TX. Police "developed probable cause" to make the arrests, according to a release. She was wearing a grey sweatshirt and a black hat. She told the Court she did not kill Ashlea and played no part in her death. 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. 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. , updated 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. And Ashlea discovered that Carter was the person due to lock up the night it was stolen and had left the back door open. She was taken to the station for questioning. Powered by Shopify. They discovered that Ashlea's missing keys had the store keys on them too. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that 27-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez was convicted of capital murder Thursday and sentenced to life in prison. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Posted on May 27, 2016. 02-16-00224-CR. Carter was a former employee at the American Eagle store where Ashlea worked but she was fired in August. Im so sorry I forgot. Thats not good. They were not able to open the gate and promptly left. They stalked Ashlea Harris like people stalk a deer.". But at least there are some you can understand. The man drove to Hulen Mall and when they got there, he dropped off Carter at the door and parked. Carter Carol Cervantez faces capital murder charges in connection with the death of Ashlea Harris. Carter did hold this against Ashlea, because Ashlea was the one that turned them in, said Groen. A neighbor told police that he had heard a thump and screaming from the apartment, the police affidavit said. Harris friends told investigators that she had been working around the clock in anticipation of the Black Friday sales event which started that morning. Wallace also determined that the ignition source was an open flame. She admitted that she tried to access the American Eagle store but claimed she only did so because Clarence threatened to kill her if she didn't . Ashlea felt that the perpetrator was Mallory. When he realized it was Ashlea's apartment and when he observed her car was still parked outside, he ran upstairs and kicked her door down. Around 8 am Ft. Worth Fire Department Lt. Jarrod Pavlechko arrived on the scene. The detectives talked to two American Eagle employees who had been locked out due to the locks being changed. Video surveillance of the mall showed that at 2 am on Saturday morning someone tried to open the security gate at American Eagle. arrived on the scene. It was the 28th of November 2014. On the day after Thanksgiving known in the retail world as Black Friday Harris's. Investigators believe the fire was an abrupt change in plan. Police spoke to him. In the meantime, Detective Pate, Cedillos partner, made contact with Mallory. Her friend left around 4:40 am with Ashlea locking the door behind her. At Carter's Trial, her Defense was that she was not involved in Ashlea's death. He asked if she would be willing to go downtown to be interviewed and she agreed. When Detective Cedillo entered the coordinates it came up to a specific location near Lueders, Texas. 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. Aloaded Glock 19 with a bullet in the chamber was found under the driver's seat. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Did we leave it behind? Her bond was set at $500,000. After Carters two-door black Infiniti G35 was identified to be on the scene by witnesses and officers followed the couple to the mall the next morning. Harris boss told investigators the car was similar to a vehicle owned by former American Eagle Outfitters employee Carter Cervantes. 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. Mallory claimed that he was waiting for his girlfriend, who worked at Aeropostale. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. At a minimum, this took at least a month of planning. Patrick Sweet lived in the apartmentbelow Ashlea's apartment and hetold police that he heard a thump, screaming and heavy breathing. Like Harris, Cervantez was an assistant manager. Prosecutors charged Cervantez with murder one and did not seek the death penalty. Carter worked thereas an assistant manager and she hired her boyfriend Clarence to work at the same store. On May 26, 2016, twenty-seven-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez was found guilty of capital murder. He heard a scream at around 7.30am. 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. 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. Clarence David Mallory took the 5th when he was brought in to testify. ", by Chilling Crimes The Black Infiniti G35 was searched by Officer J.J. In her testimony, Cervantez describes abusive behavior from Mallory, who she says threatened to kill her family if she didnt comply with his orders. Mallory was found guilty along with his girlfriendCarter Carol Cervantez, 28, of killing the American Eagle store manager, who they both worked with, on Black Friday in 2014. Steven Lee was an ex-cop who lived downstairs and diagonally across from Ashlea Harris. Police also saw what appeared to be a fresh injury to his lower lip and his lower lip was swollen. One week later Cravey called Cervantez. I think theres a fire upstairs in the apartment above me, the caller said in his 911 call, which was obtained by Snapped.. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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, Texas (AP) - A woman charged in connection to the death of a former co-worker who was beaten, bound, strangled and set afire has been found guilty. He went searching for the reason it was going off and then noticed water dripping from the bathroom ceiling. In the parking lot was a black two-door infiniti like the one seen at the crime scene. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Nobody knew for certain whether Ashlea was inside or not. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. The couple lived only two miles from Ashleas apartment. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Cervantes and Mallorys apartment and found a shopping receipt from November 21 for shovels, gloves, duct tape, rope, and a tarp. They were there to get the keys, said Cedillo. The video showed what looked to be a male wearing a hoodie entering the back door. He testified that when he entered the apartment, itwas full of smoke and water was spraying from the sprinkler system. 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. Carter would always joke, If I were ever going to steal a deposit it would be after Black Friday or Tax Free Weekend.'. For more on this case and others like it, watch "Snapped," airing Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen, or stream episodes here. 27-year-old old Carter Carol Cervantez is on trial for capital murder in the. She was strangled, her throat cut, and ultimately asphyxiated. But surveillance video confirmed she was not being truthful and it showed her leaving the mall and walking towards her home. 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. 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. Both Mallory and Cervantez are questioned and released despite both being caught lying and contradicting each other. When she was unable to get in the store the first time she walked back to the car. 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 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.". She stole Ashleas keys to commit another theft with an even bigger payoff. ", by Chilling Crimes The district manager decided to give Cervantez a fresh start. Police could not find Cervantez inside the mall but found her later in the laundry room at her apartment; surveillance video confirmed she had walked the two miles home. | Editor 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. Fort Worth Police arrested two suspects in the November 28 murder of Ashlea Harris. Ashlea's ankles were also bound with duct tape. 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 followed them as Mallory drove to the Hulen Mall. Chris went over to Detective Cedillo to tell him what he knew. His name was Clarence David Mallory. Police asked Alexis if she knew who drove a black Infiniti G35. None known, Docket Number: Cerevantez and Mallory had previously worked with Harris at the American Eagle store, but this summer were suspected of stealing $18,000 dollars from it. Her lover, David, continued working at the Amarillo store but began to miss shifts regularly. However, her loyalty to the store where she was employed would tragically lead to her death. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. It showed Cervantez buying two shovels, a rope, bungee cords, gloves, and a tarp. Police believed that Ashlea was killed between 4.15am and 7.30am. 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. He also described seeing the dark-colored vehicle driving away shortly after hearing Ashleas front door close. She also accused the black-hooded male, caught on camera breaking into the store safe and stealing the money, as David. Various documents were found. The perpetrators had stolen Ashleas store keys and were allegedly planning to break into the store again and steal more money. Ashlea Harris worked as an assistant store manager for American Eagle Outfitters located in the Hulen Mall. 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. Theyare in our work places, our friendship groups and sometimes even our homes. Outcome: Having overruled all three of Cervantezs points, we affirm the trial courts In addition, he did not call in to request off. She testified at her own Trial and told the Court that she was afraid of Clarence. He heard the door of Ashlea's apartment close and when he looked out his window, he saw a, black Infiniti G35 driving away. Another video from Texas Appliances on the north side of the mall captures Cervantez walking away from the mall towards her apartment. | Recent Lawyer Listings On their cell phones, they had images of Ashlea's apartment, her apartment door and her vehicle. The Autopsy revealed that Ashleahad numerous injuries on her body including but not limited to, Dr Fries testified that the injuries on Ashlea's face were caused by multiple blows. Harris reported Cervantes and Mallory as the likely suspects after Carter was seen leaving a door in the back of the store unlocked, according to the Amarillo Globe-News. This key was not in the trash during the first search. Cravey indicated that he did. Filed: Following Harris murder, the locks had been changed and the Black Friday proceeds were still inside. Ashlea suspended Carter and one week later, Chris called Carter and told herthat she had beenterminated for leaving the store unsecured. She was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole on May 26, 2016. Ashlea Ann Harris was murdered Nov. 28, 2014, by Clarence David Mallory, 22, and his co-defendant, Carter Carol Cervantes, 28. All were missing. Keith Morrison. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. Harris' hands and feet were bound in duct tape, reports CBS affiliate KHOU, which cites court documents filed by Fort Worth police. 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. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. It was approximately 6 ft. long, 2 ft wide and 3 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. I mean, my knees gave out. Unsure of her career path, Harris began working in retail in her early 20s. 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. She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft. 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. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. She told the Jury that he controlled her and even told her when she could eat or drink. Who Killed Her? Carter Carol Cervantes worked as a store manager of an American Eagle Outfitters outlet in Amarillo, Texas. Police also found a damaged deadbolt lock,two other locks that had been used for practice. Jeff was a neighbor and friend of Ashlea's. Dr Richard Fries, a deputy medical examiner at the Tarrant County Medical. This was somebody who killed her out of anger. It was a latenight due to Black Friday sales and Alexis looked after Ashlea's dog Nala while Ashlea was working. Prosecutors also showed evidence that Cervantez and Mallory were planning to rob the American Eagle in Abilene (where they had previously worked). reunited in Fort Worth and moved in together. Harris friends told investigators that she had been working around the clock in anticipation of the Black Friday sales event which started that morning. Text messages obtained from Cervantes and Mallorys phones showed them plotting Harris murder as part of a planned Black Friday heist. Protect yourself and those you love. A coworker was slapped with life in prison for beating and burning to death a store manager on Black Friday so that he could take her store keys and steal $50,000. He was also found found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, according to the Dallas Voice newspaper. Ashlea worked on November 27th from 5:30 pm until 3:12 am to prep the store for Black Friday. that the smoke detector had been removed and was underneath the mattress. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! As word of the fire spread throughout the community, Harris friends rushed to the scene, desperate for information. A 911 call was made by a resident at an apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas, United States to ask for help. Alexis usually watched Ashleas dog Nala when she worked. Detective Cedillo wanted to search Ashleas pick-up truck. An older man offers Chicwanda Forbes the attention she craves in exchange for her loyalty. Who Killed Her. These included the bed, the closet, and Ashleas body. Police retraced Ashlea's movements. 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. During a break in questioning, Cervantes was given a bottle of water and left alone in the interrogation room. Ashlea Harris arrived home to her apartment around 3:25 am. Police spoke to all of Ashlea'sneighbors. 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. Chicwanda Forbes; Carter Cervantez: With Iyana A. Campbell, Jordan Clifford, Herbert Lee Frazier III, Reginald Garner. From Free Law Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Whoever was the last person to leave had locked the door behind them. They went directly to the safe where the night deposits were kept, unlocked it, and took the cash inside. He thought that somebody had collected Ashlea for work. Police tracked Cervantes and Mallory to an apartment near the Hulen Mall. He was also a former employee at the same American Eagle store where Ashlea worked and he was Carter's boyfriend. The day after Thanksgiving Day. He was also fired per store policy. He testified that he wokethat morning when he heardthe sound of the fire alarms. judgment. 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. Carter's case was heard first. They had been dating which was a violation of store policy. 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> Carter Carol Cervantez appeals from her jury conviction for capital murder and automatic life sentence. Cervantez claimed that the grave was not for Ashlea Harris, but for her. 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 spoke to Chris Cravey, who was Ashleas boss at American Eagle, and asked if he knew anyone who drove a black Infinity. Rousseau added: 'Imagine the horror, someone is probably sitting on you while someone else is taping up your hands and then your ankles. Harris was born in 1983 and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. Both suspects were booked . He noticed it because he never saw it parked there before. They were scheduled to make a deposit that morning of the proceeds from the Black Friday sales. Mallory is awaiting his trial on the same charges. 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. Another neighbor, Patrick Sweet, also testified. The Court heard testimony from Steven Lee. She bends down to unlock it but is unable to. She recalls being raped multiple times by friends of Mallorys and being coerced into the robbery. Clarence Mallory Jr. and Carter Cervantez are accused of murdering Ashlea Harris after she left her job late at night at a mall in Fort Worth. Cervantez asked to speak to the regional manager about her firing, but in the end, handed over her store keys. Police asked Mallory to see his drivers license which he told them he did not have on him. 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. Chris told police that a former employee at American Eagle, Carter Carol Cervantez, drove a similar car. Police observed that she hadsuperficial scratches on her arms. 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. The Jury heard that Clarence was arrested in the car park at the mall . That was a term the brand used toindicate that the person should not be hired at any location. Examiners Officer, performed the Autopsy on Ashleas body. Once there, she re-hired Mallory. She came from a blended family. Somehow they avoided looking up at the camera. 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 . Cravey fired Cervantez because she had left the store unsecured. Police searched their apartment. She switched his first name with his middle name and changed two digits of his social security number. Many retailers have special markdowns and people lose their minds trying to snatch up the bargains. Though Mallory was arrested for driving without a license, he was also released from custody. They were arrested and charged with capital murder, according to the Reuters news service. It included her mother, Monica Cassity, stepfather Daddy Chuck, her father Tommy Harris Sr. and her stepmom Mary Reddy.