Amanda Blackburn: suspect arrested in Murder Case
According to media reports Monday, 2 men are being held by police in connection with the rape and murder of the pregnant wife of an Indiana pastor.
“We promised you … that we would go after those violent individuals in our community,” Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Rick Hite said. “(Police) put in a lot of time to bring justice.”
Taylor was charged with 13 counts, including murder, burglary, theft, robbery, criminal confinement, auto theft and a misdemeanor count of carrying a handgun without a license. Watson is facing 10 counts, including murder, burglary, theft, robbery and auto theft.
A third person suspected of involvement, 24-year-old Diano Gordon, is mentioned in court documents and was named at a news conference Monday, but he has not been charged. Officials say Gordon is being held in the Marion County Jail on an unrelated parole violation. It’s unclear what type of charges, if any, might be filed against him.
Detectives have pieced together an account of the men entering the Blackburn home, which was unlocked, and confronting Blackburn who was awaiting the return of his husband Davey, a pastor, from an early morning workout.
While two of the suspects left with Blackburn’s ATM card to retrieve money, a source told Fox 59 News, that Taylor, 18, reportedly raped and killed Amanda.
Investigators linked the suspects to the Blackburn case through ATM receipts found in an auto the three had allegedly stolen earlier this month.
Detectives gathered evidence linking the suspects to the use of Blackburn’s credit card and a gun was also recovered, WTTV reported.
Blackburn was 12 weeks pregnant when she was shot in the head as she tried to defend herself and her one-year-old son Weston when her house entered into on November 10. She died after being rushed to the hospital.
Police said in a statement that Larry Taylor was arrested by detectives from the department’s violent crime and gang units, with assistance from U.S. Marshals. Prosecutors were reviewing the case to make a final decision on what charges Taylor would face in connection with the murder of Amanda Blackburn.]
Amanda’s husband, Pastor Davey Blackburn, said in a statement he was “extremely relieved” by the arrest of a suspect, but said it doesn’t “undo the pain we are feeling.” Blackburn said investigators have told him they have a “solidly-built case.”
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.
Investigators believe a man tried to burglarize the home in the 2800 block of Sunnyfield Court on Nov. 10 after Davey Blackburn, left for the gym early that morning. Police have been searching for an individual captured on surveillance footage.
Amanda Died two days after she was shot in the head.
Both children of pastors, Amanda and Davey Blackburn came to Indianapolis from South Carolina in 2012 to found a church, Resonate Church.
They have a toddler son, Weston.
Davey Blackburn has spoken out about the case on national television to plead for information about any possible suspects and discuss the couple’s faith.
This is why we have the death penalty in many American states.
Ok I feel badly now for suspecting the husband may have had something to do with it. Can’t help being cynical in these times.