Testimony, pictures reveal violence that led up to Mahogany Jackson’s murder

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Warning: information in this story depicts violence and may be triggering for some readers.

Six of the eight defendants charged in the death of Mahogany Jackson appeared in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Jackson was found dead at an illegal dump site in Jefferson County Feb. 26, 2024.

Based on the testimony and evidence presented during the hearing, Jefferson County District Judge William Bell found probable cause the defendants committed the majority of the crimes as charged and bound the cases over for grand jury consideration. Some of the defendants’ charges were bound over last week following a lengthy bond hearing.

Wednesday, Bell bound over the following counts: One count of capital murder for Brandon Pope, two counts of capital murder for Francis Harris, one count of capital murder for Jeremiah McDowell and single felony murder counts for Giovannie Clapp and Teja Lewis. Bell also bound over an assault second degree charge for Lewis. Clapp’s assault second charge was reduced to third degree assault, which is a misdemeanor. Airana Robinson appeared in court, but her felony murder case was bound over by another judge.

During the hearing, the state showed screenshots from cell phone videos taken by several of the defendants. The prosecution went image by image allowing Birmingham Police Department case agent, Detective Mark Green, to explain what was happening in the pictures. Green’s testimony revealed Jackson was dragged, assaulted, spit on, slapped, kicked and punched. Multiple suspects were seen in the videos holding guns and pointing them at Jackson.

The state asked Green whether Jackson was ever free to leave at any point during these videos, he responded, “No, she was not.”

At one point, Green explained one of the defendants struck Jackson in the head repeatedly with a baseball they found on the ground nearby. Jackson was then taken to an apartment and sexually assaulted, according to Green’s testimony.

“At this point she had been stripped nude, handcuffs were placed on her, and this is the video where they are stomping her without clothing,” Green said of one of the images.

Testimony revealed Pope drove Jackson from the apartment to the place she was killed, which is also known as Dead Man’s Row. McDowell and Harris were in the car, according to testimony.

The autopsy revealed Jackson died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. According to witness statements, Harris reportedly shot Jackson. Harris’s attorney argued there is no physical evidence tying Harris to firing the shot.

Multiple defense attorneys cross-examined Green, revealing multiple videos are still being processed by law enforcement along with forensic evidence that could further tie the defendants to Jackson’s death. All defense attorneys argued the lack of physical evidence should stop these cases from being referred to the grand jury.

Three guns have been recovered, which are also being processed. At this point, it’s unclear which gun was used to kill Jackson, but a projectile was recovered from her body during the autopsy.

Green testified that based on witness statements, this all began because Jackson reportedly stole a gun, which one of the defendants allegedly stole back from her. Jackson’s family called 911 on February 25 after receiving a text that said, “I’ve been kidnapped. Send help. Don’t call.” The text gave the location, which was Lewis’s address.

Defendants Si’nya McCall and Blair Green will have a preliminary hearing next week.

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