Court testimony revealed on Friday that a Georgia couple who killed the woman’s roommate allegedly admitted to their roles in the murder during police questioning.
Atlanta police detective Michael Young testified during the preliminary hearing for Barron Brantley, 21, that he confessed to choking Alexis Crawford, 21, as his girlfriend, Jordyn Jones, 21, put a bag over her head. The detective said that Brantley claimed he knew Crawford was dead when “sounds of agony” — which included her struggling to breathe — had ceased, according to WXIA.
Brantley reportedly shared the details surrounding Crawford’s death on November 8, the same day Crawford’s body was discovered in Exchange Park in Decatur. Young alleged that Brantley and Jones led authorities to her body.
Crawford was reportedly wrapped in a blue blanket, her hands were bound, and a white residue, possibly baby powder, was discovered on her body. Young said the couple put the bin containing Crawford’s body at the top of a hill and pushed it, resulting in it falling out of the bin, according to WGCL.
Crawford’s family reported her missing on November 1, and told authorities that they last heard from her on October 30. The Clark Atlanta University student was reportedly spotted at a liquor store the same evening.
Young said that Jones ultimately admitted that she lied about not leaving her apartment on the night of her roommate’s disappearance. She reportedly admitted to lying after authorities presented her with footage that showed her leaving the complex at 3:18 a.m. and returning an hour later.
Young said Jones confirmed that the second person caught on camera that night was Brantley, according to WXIA.
Days before her disappearance, on October 27, Crawford filed a police report alleging that Brantley had kissed and touched her without her consent. Authorities said Crawford, Jones, and Brantley were drinking on the night of the incident and that Brantley later claimed he thought he was touching his girlfriend.
Brantley allegedly then followed Crawford into her bathroom and bedroom. Police said that Jones claimed she banged on the bathroom door until her boyfriend exited shirtless. He reportedly denied having sexual contact with Crawford before leaving the residence in his girlfriend’s car.
Crawford was reportedly found nearly naked in her bathroom. She told her roommate that she could not recall Brantley being in the bathroom with her before she lost consciousness, according to the police report.
Crawford was hospitalized and a rape kit was administered. She vanished three days later.
In court on Thursday, prosecutors accused Jones of taking steps to conceal her roommate’s murder and sexual assault. At one point, Jones allegedly called the victim’s relatives and claimed that the rape kit did not recover any DNA.
“Well that is incredibly incorrect, the results of the rape kit indicate that Brantley’s DNA was found,” the prosecutor said.
A judge ruled that there is enough evidence for Brantley’s case to move forward. Jones waived her preliminary hearing, meaning her case is also heading to trial. The pair remains jailed without bond.
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[Featured image: Jordyn Jones, Barron Brantley/Fulton County jail; Alexis Crawford/Facebook]
