No bond for 4 charged in hit-and-run murder of Cary teen
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Tears filled a Wake County courtroom Monday as four young suspects charged with killing a 16-year-old Green Hope High School student faced a judge for the first time Monday.
Katie Burdick-Crow died at WakeMed around 1:30 a.m. Saturday from injuries suffered in a hit-and-run in Cary the night before.
The four charged are:
- Jourdan Chanquion Mack, 20, of Rambling Hill Drive, Morrisville
- Beth Strange, 18, of Fallborough Court, Morrisville
- Abijah James Masse, 17, of Narrow Leaf Drive, Morrisville
- Joshua Odell Simmons, 17 of Autumn Day Drive, Morrisville
A search warrant released after the suspects' court appearances show Masse confessed to police that he arranged to meet with Burdick-Crow in the area of Walnut Street Park in Cary on Friday, and to steal marijuana she planned to sell him.
According to the warrant, Masse went to the park with the other suspects, Mack, Strange, and Simmons, as well as a fifth person who has not been charged in the case. Simmons told police he drove the group there in his father's Ford pickup truck.
Masse told police he and Mack tried taking the marijuana from Burdick-Crow, but she refused to give it to them without getting paid. Masse said he got back inside the truck while Mack and Strange walked over to Burdick-Crow, stole the marijuana from her and took off running toward the intersection of Lawrence Road and Walnut Street.
Simmons told police Burdick-Crow chased after the two but, when he started driving away, she jumped onto the step rail on the driver's side to try stopping him. He confessed to police he punched the teen at least three times in the face until she fell off, and he sped away.
According to the warrant, Mack and Strange admitted to police they stole the marijuana from Burdick-Crow and jumped back inside the pickup after she fell from it.
Someone in the area called 911 when he saw Burdick-Crow in the street bleeding. Emergency responders took her to WakeMed where she later died.
On Monday, Masse's defense attorney Julian Hall asked District Court Judge Keith Gregory to set his bond at $3 million.
"Mr. Masse has never even had a traffic ticket, your honor," said Hall.
Hall had Masse's parents and pastor from The Summit Church stand at one point, explaining to the judge that Masse had a lot of support and a clean record.
"Mr. Masse's in the youth ministry," Hall told ABC11. "He's been involved in the youth ministry for upwards of five years. Again, these are very good kids and it's a tragic incident for all of the families involved."
Judge Gregory denied bond for Masse and the three other suspects. They're all due back in court on July 20.
In a statement released by a funeral home, Burdick-Crow's parents thanked police for their quick work:
We are devastated by the loss of our daughter Katie, but we appreciate the outpouring of love and support from so many of our friends. Katie was a very loving, caring person and it is a shame her life has ended so soon. We ask for your prayers and good wishes, but also your respect for our privacy at this time.
