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. Details emerge in killing of Hulen Mall store employee - Dallas News At the police station, police observed that he was wearing a ski mask. Ashlea was the mom of the store. The investigators hypothesized setting the residence on fire had been an abrupt change of plans. Patrick thought that perhaps someone had come to pick Ashlea Harris up for work as her pick-up truck remained in its parking space. Cervantez claimed that the grave was not for Ashlea Harris, but for her. Fort Worth Police arrested two suspects in the November 28 murder of Ashlea Harris. The keys seemed to be the only thing missing from her apartment. After missing several shifts, he was fired and barred from working at other American Eagle stores. There were extensive text messages between the two as they watched the store. Carter was a former employee at the American Eagle store where Ashlea worked but she was fired in August. They raped her for not following through with the robbery. He ruled out accidental causes for the reason for the fire and concluded that the fire was set on purpose. He forced her to enter and rob American Eagle at gunpoint and threatened to kill her family if she didnt do what he asked. At the apartment, detectives found a box containing a taser in the trash, strands of duct tape, and a damaged deadbolt lock. Ashlea felt that the perpetrator was Mallory. She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft. Another apartment in the complex was on fire. The day after Thanksgiving Day. Woman Convicted in Death of Former Co-Worker in Fort Worth Carter Carol Cervantez. These included the bed, the closet, and Ashleas body. Communication between Mallory and Cervantez led police to a shallow hole in a town more than a hundred miles away. A medical examiner found blunt force trauma to her face and head and trauma related to strangulation on her neck and throat, according to the Amarillo Globe-News. Carter Carol Cervantez faces capital murder charges in connection with the death of Ashlea Harris. The scream was followed by a loud thud and he, could hear labored breathing. Ashlea Ann Harris was murdered Nov. 28, 2014, by Clarence David Mallory, 22, and his co-defendant, Carter Carol Cervantes, 28. Since this was a violation they took him into custody. One of Harris friends had stopped by after Ashlea got off work on Thanksgiving night and stayed until around 5 a.m. The Court heard testimony from Steven Lee. There are a lot of people at her apartment complex, which says a lot about the defendants in this case.'. It is up to the rest of us to take an even harder look at who is minding our children. She admitted to not locking the back door the night of the theft. Messages indicate they planned on burying the corpse in an unmarked grace north of Abilene, Texas. 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. She transferred to the Hulen Mall location and held an assistant store manager position. She was blamed as the mastermind behind the murder plot by prosecutors. Many retailers have special markdowns and people lose their minds trying to snatch up the bargains. Detective Cedillo went back to Cervantez apartment and found her in the laundry room this time wearing pink scrubs. This was torture, prosecutor Kevin Rousseau told Snapped.. Forth Worth was originally settled in 1849 as a US Army outpost to protect pioneers settling out west. The Court heard that the car was still there when Steven left for work after 7.30am. He told the Court that he lived in an apartment justbelow Ashleas apartment. Police had to establish if they were involved in Ashlea's death what the motive was. Malloy is being held in a Potter County Jail and will be. While Cervantes moved six hours away to Fort Worth, Mallory stayed in Amarillo. Ashlea Harris Killed By Coworkers On Black Friday, They Needed Her Keys He saw Cervantez exit the vehicle wearing and enter the mall. While Cervantes moved six hours away to Fort Worth, Mallory stayed in Amarillo. Defendant in American Eagle Murder Says She Was Coerced By - Jezebel A woman suspected of helping kill a former co-worker on the shopping day known as Black Friday in 2014 was found guilty of capital murder Thursday and will spend the rest of her life in prison.. ", 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 . Combined Opinion from The following correctional supervision record (the "Record") was collected from the official state department of corrections website (see below for source link). It was their case that they wanted her keys to steal the money from the store but also that they wanted revenge after they held Ashlea responsible for them losing their jobs. She was wearing a grey sweatshirt and a black hat. It didn't last long. The comments below have not been moderated, by Chilling Crimes We Shes the one that coordinated everything and came up with the plan.As per official court records, she, 34, is serving her sentence at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville, Texas. It was a black Infiniti G35. According to news reports, Carter was an assistant store manager at the time, along with 31-year-oldAshlea Ann Harris. Home Take out all the trash andleave that. Woman Convicted in Death of Former Co-Worker in Fort Worth Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. The scream was followed by a loud thud and hecould hear labored breathing. In addition, we got Ashleas DNA on this gun that was in Carter Cervantes car, said Kevin Rousseau. He observed. 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 Prosecution claimed that person was Carter. Though Mallory was arrested for driving without a license, he was also released from custody. Cervantez was recently found guilty of her involvement and sentenced to life in prison without parole in May 2016, reported the Star-Telegram. I mean, my knees gave out. He then radioed for police and a crime scene unit to come to the scene. Police believed she saw them talking with Clarence in the car park and walked the two miles home. Cervantez alleges that she did not commit the murder and was asleep in her apartment when Harris was robbed and killed. Does Alan Cumming Really Live in a Scottish Castle? One suspect in 2014 Black Friday slaying gets life in prison | Fort | Advertising On the day after Thanksgiving known in the retail world as Black Friday Harris's. By On the 24th of August 2014, at 1.14am, $18000 was stolen from the safe in the American Eagle store. 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. Then he gathered up some belongings, moved his car away from the building, and waited for the fire department to arrive. Police also found a damaged deadbolt lock,two other locks that had been used for practice. Patrick was thinking about trying to find out what was going on when he heard Ashleas front door open and then close. He continued to lie in bed wondering what was going on in his upstairs neighbors apartment (Ashleas apartment). Once there, she re-hired Mallory. Unsure of her career path, Harris began working in retail in her early 20s. After that, she went to work. By Firefighters managed to control the fire and it was only then they discovered that Ashlea was inside. She told Chris police were asking about an Infiniti G35. Somehow they avoided looking up at the camera. by Chilling Crimes 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. That was a term the brand used toindicate that the person should not be hired at any location. 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 Snapped," airing Sundays at 6/5c on Oxygen. Cervantez asked to speak to the regional manager about her firing, but in the end, handed over her store keys. Both Mallory and Cervantez are questioned and released despite both being caught lying and contradicting each other. 1 Comment, "My family and myself are good, decent and very honest people. The term Black Friday originated in Philadelphia to describe heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the day after Thanksgiving. Jeff was a neighbor and friend of Ashlea's. Another video from Texas Appliances on the north side of the mall captures Cervantez walking away from the mall towards her apartment. Police "developed probable cause" to make the arrests, according to a release. Ashlea Harris worked as an assistant store manager for American Eagle Outfitters located in the Hulen Mall. Today, Ft. Worth is a thriving city of approximately 800,000 residents. Ashlea Harris Murder: How Did She Die? Ashlea has suffered numerous injuries to her face and head indicating that there were multiple blows. Clarence's phone-We left it. He was unable to find a pulse. However, her loyalty to the store where she was employed would tragically lead to her death. Patrick Sweet lived in the apartmentbelow Ashlea's apartment and hetold police that he heard a thump, screaming and heavy breathing. Alexis usually watched Ashleas dog Nala when she worked. 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. She came from a blended family. She testified at her own Trial and told the Court that she was afraid of Clarence. Who Killed Her. She workedas an assistant managerin an American Eagle store in the Hulen Mall. 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. While the homicide took place nearly 6 hours. 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. She bends down to unlock it but is unable to. Her throat had been cut and she had been set on fire. And when she did not do what she was told, they returned to their apartment, where Mallorys friends raped her repeatedly, Cervantez testified. He called 911 as he realized there must be a fire. She raises three points on appeal: (1) the trial court erred by denying her counsel's motion to withdraw based on the State's failure to comply with the Michael Morton Act; (2) the trial court erred by admitting recorded statements of her . This was different. It was a latenight due to Black Friday sales and Alexis looked after Ashlea's dog Nala while Ashlea was working. We may earn a commission from links on this page. | Privacy Statement. 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. Police: Texas woman strangled by fmr. co-workers - CBS News Cervantez said Mallory put the gun in her face and tried to make her steal money from the store. Thats not good. One of the investigators alleged, It was evident to us that Carter was the mastermind behind this and I think David was the muscle. Detective Cedillo radioed dispatch and asked them to send a marked patrol call to the mall. Saturday Tarrant County Sheriffs arrested 25-year-old Carter Carol Cervantez. 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. January 25, 2022, "The effects of abuse are devastating and far reaching. Another store employee watched the video and agreed with Ashlea based on the suspects physical appearance. One of Harris friends had stopped by after Ashlea got off work on Thanksgiving night and stayed until around 5 a.m. It included her mother, Monica Cassity, stepfather Daddy Chuck, her father Tommy Harris Sr. and her stepmom Mary Reddy. By 2011, she was an assistant manager at an American Eagle Outfitters store at Fort Worths Hulen Mall. carbon monoxide detector went offand he sawwater dripping from the ceiling in his bathroom. Her name was Carter Carol Cervantez. | Store Around 8 am Ft. Worth Fire Department Lt. Jarrod Pavlechko arrived on the scene. The Court heard that inJune 2014, Ashleawas appointed to run the store while Chris was on medical leave. She raises three points on appeal: (1) the trial court erred by denying her counsel's motion to withdraw based on the State's failure to comply with the Michael Morton Act; (2) the trial court erred by admitting recorded statements of her . She was taken to the station for questioning. Harris friends told investigators that she had been working around the clock in anticipation of the Black Friday sales event which started that morning. They found ample evidence in both places, including a gun used to pistolwhip Ashlea, receipts for a murder kit, including the duct tape used to bind her, and her blood on the floor mat of their vehicle. 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. 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 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. Benbrook man gets life for killing Hulen Mall manager | Miami Herald Firefighters put out the blaze and found 31-year-old Harris dead on her bedroom floor. At Clarence's Trial, he claimed that he was not involved in Ashlea's murder but the Jury also did not believe him and he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole. CourtListener is sponsored by the non-profit Free Law Project. He called 911 when his carbon monoxide detector wentoff and he realized there was a fire. She was raised in a large and loving family and made friends wherever she went. Cervantez was the assistant store manager who was to lock up the night of the theft. 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. The 31-year-old was an assistant manager at the American Eagle Outfitters store in the Abilene mall in Texas. Cervantes had hired 19-year-old David Mallory and soon began dating him, in violation of company policy. She told the Jury that he controlled her and even told her when she could eat or drink. I said, Thats Ashleas tattoo,' said Naylor. Carter Carol Cervantez | Christina Melton Crain Unit Prison | Texas Ashlea Harris Killed By Former Hulen Mall Employees | Crime News What did they all have in common on Black Friday 2014? Prosecutors charged Cervantez with murder one and did not seek the death penalty. Ashley Harris - Murdered By American Eagle Co-Workers - CDP This Record may not reflect actual, complete, or up-to-date data. Aloaded Glock 19 with a bullet in the chamber was found under the driver's seat. Steven W. Conder. Both Cervantez and Mallory worked with Harris at the American Eagle store before being fired. Cervantez also testified that Mallory raped her when she didn't do what he wanted. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The manner of Ashlea's death was ruled as a homicide. Mallory drove the car to another mall exit. Both denied knowing anything about the homicide and claimed to be together on Thanksgiving, having dinner and watching movies. Authorities discovered Harris' body face down on her scorched bed with her ankles and wrists bound on Nov. 28, 2014, the. Ashlea Ann Harris loved working in retail where she could meet new people every day. 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. January 17, 2022 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. In the parking lot was a black two-door infiniti like the one seen at the crime scene. below Ashlea's apartment and hetold police that he heard a thump, screaming and heavy breathing. The Court heard testimony fromAlexis Torres Bunch. Harris was found dead in her apartment several hours later when firefighters responded to a fire alarm. 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. Police believed that Ashlea was killed between 4.15am and 7.30am. Carter's testimony also included an account of a time that she claimed she was raped by two men. The Prosecutor,Kevin Rousseau,told the Jury: "There are no good murders. The Court heard that when police searched Clarence's car, which was a Cadillac, they found two shovels, a box of plastic sheeting, and a box of Craftsman sockets. She stole Ashleas keys to commit another theft with an even bigger payoff. He testified that when he entered the apartment, itwas full of smoke and water was spraying from the sprinkler system. They were there to get the keys, said Cedillo. They went to the store as planned on the Saturday morning with the keys but the lockshad already been changed. While they were let go initially, the investigators had search warrants for their apartment and car. She switched his first name with his middle name and changed two digits of his social security number. He met his girlfriend Carter Cervantez there. 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 The Dallas Morning News.