Judge Denies Bond To Suspects In Mahogany Jackson’s Death

Birmingham Police Homicide Detective Mark Green, the state’s only witness, detailed the violent videos of Jackson being tormented by suspects.

Judge Kechia Davis has denied bond requests for five out of eight suspects who faced initial appearances on March 4 under Aniah’s Law for the alleged murder and kidnapping of 20-year-old mother Mahogany Jackson.

Testimony from Birmingham Police Homicide Detective Mark Green detailed several alleged violent videos taken by accused suspects: Teja Lewis, 25; Si’nya McCall, 23; Blair Green, 25; Giovonnie Clapp, 23; and Ariana Robinson, 23. According to WBRC, Green stated Jackson arrived at suspect Brandon Pope’s residence, thinking she was hanging out with friends. However, footage shows her outside naked as she was beaten by Lewis and kicked by McCall, who is later heard giving directions to “put her in the trunk.”

Prosecutors allege Jackson was then taken to Lewis and McCall’s apartment, where the brutality escalated. Another recording shows a naked Jackson restrained in handcuffs as she is beaten, slapped, spat on, and pistol-whipped. Some suspects recorded Jackson while she was forced to perform sexual acts at gunpoint. Videos that surfaced on social media reveal suspects threatening that Jackson was “going to die.”

“I’ve been kidnapped. Send help. Don’t call,” the victim alerted family members around 8 a.m. on Feb. 25. The next day, Jackson’s dead body was discovered at an illegal dump site described as “Dead Man Road.” Police reported the woman had a gunshot wound in the back of her head.

The details of Jackson’s murder upset Jackson’s mother, Gail Maddox, and other relatives present at the hearing. “They’re shaken,” Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr said. “…To be in a formal setting and hear what happened to a loved one like that could be very disheartening.”

Attorneys of some of the defendants argued they had no part in Jackson’s murder. However, Judge Davis ruled they all played a role and that it’s best that they’re all locked up for the community’s safety. WBRC noted all suspects have been charged with murder, including Francis Harris, 25, and Jeremiah Lee McDowell, 18.