March 28, 2010

Harrell arrested in Somer Thompson murder

Harrell Arrest Docket
3-26-2010 Florida:

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Action News has confirmed Jarred Harrell has been arrested in Somer Thompson's murder.

A source confirms with Action News Jarred Harrell will be charged in Somer's murder. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office will not confirm the arrest but it says it will make a major announcement in the investigation into Somer Thompson’s murder today at noon. The seven-year-old disappeared in October, while walking home from school.

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On February 11th, Jared Harrell was named as a person of interest in the Somer Thompson murder investigation. The Clay County Sheriff's Office says it executed a search warrant at Harrell’s former residence at 1152 Gano Avenue, near Somer’s home. Investigators from the Clay County Sheriff's Office, FBI, and FDLE searched the home for evidence throughout the night. Harrell was arrested in Meridian, Mississippi for 29 counts of Possession of Child Pornography.

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On February 24th, Jarred Harrell was extradited to Clay County and booked into the jail. Later that day, Harrell was charged with 29 counts of Child Pornography. Detectives say they found pornographic images of a young girl on a computer owned by Jarred Harrell. Investigators also say they found pornographic video and pictures of a young girl at the Callahan home of Harrell's mother. According to the warrant, Harrell is seen in the video posing a child.

On February 25th, Jarred Harrell was charged with 12 more counts of Production of Child Porn and Molestation of that child. Harrell appeared in court for an arraignment on 55 charges of child porn and molestation of a child on March 3rd. Harrell’s attorney entered a “not guilty” plea on his behalf for all the charges.

Today, Jarred Harrell was arrested and charged with the murder of Somer Thompson. In a news conference today, Sheriff Rick Beseler announced Harrell's arrest, "158 days ago our community was rocked by the brutal murder of a 7 year old girl," he said, " As we all wrapped our arms around the family of Somer Thompson and each other to grieve, the out pouring of support and generosity to bring Somer’s killer to justice was the light in the search for justice in this community."

Sheriff Beseler described four key points that lead Team Somer to arrest Jarred Harrell, “We have evidence that will show that Harrell assaulted Somer, killed her and dumped her body in a dumpster that eventually ended up in a Folkston, Georgia landfill.” Beseler said, investigators relied on statements from witnesses, admissions from the suspect (Harrell), evidence collected from the Gano Avenue home and DNA evidence linking Harrell to the crime.

Sheriff Beseler told the media today, Somer Thompson died of asphyxiation, “I can’t comment on the condition of the body or the evidence found around the body, it would be inappropriate at this time.”

State Attorney, Angela Corey spoke briefly saying, “I concur with the Sheriff that this type of crime, absolutely qualifies for the death penalty.” Harrell is charged with premeditated murder, meaning Harrell, planned, plotted or deliberated before committing murder. Premeditation is an element in first degree murder that shows intent to commit that crime. ..Source.. Fox30Jax.com

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad they have a case...sure would be nice if ALL the news outlets would report that ALL RSO's were cleared...RIGHT!

Anonymous said...

Looks like this guy has already ben convicted and sentenced to death for this crime.