FL: Makia Coney update
Marianna
involved were so young but because of the apparent ferocity of the
attack. The victim had to be identified by a birthmark on her back.
One of the perps got beaten up by 8 inmates after he was arrested.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/crime/2010-02-16/story/jacksonville_students_charged_as_adults_in_makia_coneys_killing
Jacksonville students charged as adults in Makia Coney's killing
The teen boys did not provide a clear motive in their classmate's
killing
By Scott Butler Story updated at 11:52 AM on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010
The two University Christian School teenagers accused of shooting 17-
year-old classmate Makia Coney in the head are being formally charged
today as adults.
Connor Julian Pridgen, 16, and Charles Roy Southern, 17, are scheduled
for a 1:30 p.m. appearance before Judge John Merrett in the Juvenile
Division of the Duval County Courthouse.
The State Attorney's Office is formally charging them with murder and
seeking to transfer the case to Circuit Court where they will be tried
as adults. In doing so, State Attorney Angela Corey issued the
following statement:
"The murder of Makia Coney, coming on the heels of Somer Thompson’s
murder and in the midst of the trial of those alleged to have killed
DreShawna Davis, leaves our community grieving and bewildered. These
murders were brutal and senseless, and directed at innocent children
and young women. ... My office will work with equal determination to
bring those responsible to justice and full accountability."
Coney had been reported missing from the private Jacksonville school
Wednesday afternoon and was found by a bicyclist that evening off
Powers Avenue near Baker Skinner Park. Police couldn't initially
identify the body due to the severe trauma.
Connor and Southern went to the Sheriff's Office Friday night and were
charged. They did not provide a clear motive but were seen in
Southern's pickup driving around after school that day. Police think
they stole two .44-caliber handguns from a metal box of the father of
a friend.
The two cannot face the death penalty because they are juveniles and
state law does not allow it.
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Marianna
Marianna
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/crime/2010-02-15/story/state_suspects_in_makia_coney_slaying_likely_stole_guns_from_frien
State: Suspects in Makia Coney slaying likely stole guns from friend's
home
By Matt Coleman Story updated at 6:48 AM on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010
The two teen suspects in the shooting death of 17-year-old University
Christian School student Makia Ann Coney likely stole the guns used in
the attack from a friend’s home, authorities said Monday.
Assistant State Attorney Mark Caliel said he believes Charles Roy
Southern, 17, and Connor Julian Pridgen, 16, took two .44-caliber
revolvers and ammunition from the home of James C. Cumbie. Cumbie’s 18-
year-old son, Daniel, was friends with the teens. All three also went
to University Christian.
The guns were seized after the suspects voluntarily turned themselves
in to police Friday night and said they both shot Coney in the head.
Her body was found on Powers Avenue near Baker Skinner Park shortly
after 6 p.m. Wednesday.
One of the guns was found in Pridgen’s home, Caliel said. The other
was found on the side of the road off Florida 210 in St. Johns County.
Caliel said Southern led officers to where he dumped it.
Caliel said James Cumbie and his attorney will meet with investigators
today to match up the serial numbers he has for his firearms to the
guns seized by police.
Cumbie called police Saturday morning to report the theft. He said his
son had invited two friends, “Charles” and “Connor,” over to work out
recently — right about the same time the guns could have gone missing,
according to an Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office incident report.
He said the revolvers were locked in a metal box in the master bedroom
and that another locked box contained ammunition. Locks on both boxes
were broken, according to the report. There were no other signs of
forced entry to the home.
Cumbie told officers any friends of his son who came over were not
allowed upstairs or in his bedroom. He said no one would have known of
the guns unless they were told about them.
The last time Cumbie saw the revolvers was about a year ago, according
to the report.
Caliel said investigators believe Southern and Pridgen “secreted the
weapons and ammunition into a backpack” while they were left
unattended in the home.
Police said the suspects did not reveal a clear motive for the
shooting.
In a statement released Sunday morning, State Attorney Angela Corey
said “appropriate charges” against Southern and Pridgen would be filed
in adult felony court today .
Both remain in a state Department of Juvenile Justice detention
facility in Jacksonville, even after Pridgen was assaulted by eight
youths Saturday. Chief Tara Wildes wasn’t sure if Pridgen had to be
hospitalized following the attack, but she said all of the teens
involved were sent back to the juvenile facility after processing.
Coney’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Southside Church
of God in Christ on 2179 Emerson St. A family spokesman told The Times-
Union that the ceremony will be open to the public.
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Marianna