Posted on November 23, 2015

Two Men Arrested on Murder Charges in Amanda Blackburn Investigation

Russ McQuaid and Amanda Rakes, Fox 59 (Indianapolis), November 23, 2015

Two men have been charged in the murder of Amanda Blackburn, a pastor’s pregnant wife who was shot during a home invasion robbery on Nov. 10.

In a press conference Monday, Prosecutor Terry Curry announced 18-year-old Larry Jo Taylor, Jr. and 21-year-old Jalen Watson were charged with murder in connection with the investigation.

Larry Taylor and Jalen Watson

Sources confirmed to FOX59 early Monday morning the two men, and a possible third man, will also be charged in three additional burglaries, including a rape at the Westlake Apartments.

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According to court documents, Taylor and Watson–as well as a third man–are accused of entering Blackburn’s home on the morning of Nov. 10 in addition to two other burglaries in the area. Sources confirmed to FOX59 the third man is 24-year-old Diano Gordan, who is being held on a parole violation.

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Authorities said the men referred to themselves as “The Kill Gang.”

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Watson and Gordan left Blackburn’s home with her credit card to drive to an ATM. According to officials, Taylor stayed outside the house and was later picked up by the other two men. Taylor is alleged to have admitted to witnesses he killed Amanda, who was home with her 1-year-old son. She was 12 weeks pregnant when she was killed. Her cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the back of the head. She was also shot in the left arm and upper back, said police.

Her husband, Pastor Davey Blackburn, discovered his wife’s body after returning home from the gym that morning.

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