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A police detective took the stand Friday during Garcia's preliminary hearing and provided details about the moment the victim was found.
“We found Janaya Thompson and her back was against the wall,” said Detective Samuel Jewell. “She was hung with what we know now were two pairs of socks, and that was attached to a metal bar in a small window”...
The prosecution says they will seek the death penalty in the case.
Evidence presented Friday indicates Julian Gray, 31, also may face prosecution in Ja'Naya's disappearance and killing...
Police are awaiting test results that could link Gray to the crimes, said Herman Cox, Harrison County prosecuting attorney...
After hearing testimony, Harrison County Judge Robin Alfred Midcalf found probable cause to bind the case over to a grand jury. She declined to consider setting a bond for Garcia.
A person of interest in the sexual assault and slaying of 5-year-old Ja'Naya Thompson has been arrested on charges alleging he was in possession of child *advertiser censored*.
New charges against Julian Casper Gray III are not directly related to the capital murder investigation, but evidence seized during the probe led to his new charges, Police Sgt. Damon McDaniel said. Police arrested Gray, 31, Wednesday on two counts of exploitation of a child, the state charge that applies to pornographic images of minors...
Alberto Julio Garcia, 30, faces a capital murder charge in Ja'Naya's death. A grand jury review is pending.
I was wondering if it was just me, seeing that no one else picked up on that. That is a head scratcher. First, they both live at the trailer she was found in, then one of the suspects burglarized it. Which is it? I thought that the trailer had been abandoned? didn't one of the neighbors say it's been abandoned for two weeks now, instead of three days, as originally reported?
Again, this is why I don't have much faith in reporters anymore. Garbage like this makes me sick. We're talking about a baby being brutally murdered here by strangulation, how about doing your damn research FIRST and post the CORRECT facts?? But no, that would take precious time and energy, and we can't waste time if we want to be the first to post the story!
Janaya would now be seven years old and her vibrant memory still haunts those who live here...
Two years ago, Janaya’s body was found hanging in the bathroom of a trailer, a mobile home burglarized just days earlier by a man named Alberto Garcia, a suspect charged with capital murder in the case. His tentative trial date is set for Monday...
Over the past two years, the mobile home has seen a number of families move in and out. A streetlight and fence have been put up as safety measures, but still, residents here hold their kids and grandkids a little tighter and have given a whole new meaning to neighborhood watch.
http://www.wdam.com/story/33088332/trial-delayed-for-man-accused-of-killing-janaya-thompsonThe trial for capital murder suspect Alberto Garcia has been postponed. Instead of starting next month, it now begins in January.
On the eve of his trial, accused killer Alberto Garcia walked into a Harrison County courtroom this morning and pleaded guilty to capital murder. In the last few minutes, Garcia admitted his role in the 2014 death of five-year-old Janaya Thompson.
Harrison County's district attorney says Garcia is still eligible for the death penalty. His guilty plea will avoid a criminal trial. However, a sentencing hearing will be held to determine whether Garcia receives the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Wednesday brought closure to so many people, but the past three days have also opened a lot of wounds. The horrific details of Janaya Thompsons rape and murder have been replayed in court over and over, but it all served a purpose. That was to bring justice for Janaya.
"We were hoping for justice, and I think that's what was given today," said Angela Hinton, who was Janaya's cousin.
Around 2:45 p.m., Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced Janaya Thompson's killer to death. He was asked if he wanted to make any final statements to the court. Alberto Garcia declined.
"Just watching him show no remorse at all, you know he hasn't shed a tear these three days," said Gretta Hinton, who was Janaya's aunt.
The details that unfolded in court were graphic, but District Attorney Joel Smith felt it was important for the court to hear just how horrendous of a crime Garcia had committed.
"As a father, I cannot imagine the daily heartache that those parents go through because of what this defendant chose to do," said Smith.
Braziel said she's known Janaya's family most of her life. Although she believes the judge's decision to impose the death penalty was the right one, it doesn't take away from the horrors her community has gone through.
"What would have happened if this would have happened to one of my grandkids," Braziel said. "I feel so sorry for that baby. I really do. She had no chance to make it and live her life."
Janaya's family also wrote a note, thanking the police department and district attorney for their work:
First of all, I want to thank God. I want to thank the District Attorney Joel and Crosby and their staff, the chief of police and his staff, my friends and family. And everyone for prayers and support through all of our hard times. Now my granddaughter can rest in peace and we have closure.
-The Janaya Thompson family.