Friday, December 30, 2011

Marion County, FL: Top local story of 2011: Teen murdered, mutilated and burned

It was among the most shocking Marion County murder cases ever.

A 15-year-old boy was lured by two girls to a friend's home. He was shot to death, his body was mutilated and the corpse was set ablaze. In the end, six people ages 15 to 20 were arrested in connection with horrible case.

The murder of Seath Jackson of Summerfield was the Star-Banner staff's pick for the No. 1 local story of 2011. In 2010, the top pick was a house fire that killed five children from the Jordan family.

Authorities say Michael Shane Bargo, 19, was the ringleader in Seath's slaying. He allegedly beat and shot Seath multiple times with a .22-caliber gun.

After Seath's kneecaps were shattered, the body was placed in a sleeping bag and dumped into a burning fire pit. The remains were later scooped into five-gallon paint cans and dropped into a remote water-filled limerock pit.

Bargo allegedly wanted to settle a score over the victim's past relationship with Amber E. Wright, 15, a former girlfriend of both men. Charlie Kay Ely, 19, and Wright allegedly lured Jackson to the murder scene — Ely's home.

Ely was convicted of first-degree murder in September. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Justin Edward Soto, 20, and Kyle Lonnie-Duan Hooper allegedly beat Seath and restrained him while Bargo shot him, documents state. The sixth defendant, James Young Havens III, is accused of driving Bargo to Starke after the crime.

The other criminal cases remain pending.

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