DNA Evidence Leads To Mulga Murder Suspect

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A second suspect is now charged with murder for his role in a fatal September 2017 home invasion in Mulga, after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Jason Dale Boatwright of Bessemer.

On September 15, 2017, deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a home in the 200 block of Bayview Drive in Mulga. Information at the scene was that the male homeowner and a friend were in a side room of the home visiting. Two armed men forced their way into the door and tried to rob them. The homeowner and his friend began fighting with the suspects. The homeowner was struck in the head with a handgun. During the struggle, a shot was fired. One of the suspects was struck and fell to the floor. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The other suspect was wearing a mask that came off during the struggle. He fled to a waiting vehicle and was driven away by a third suspect later identified as 39-year-old Horace Dewayne Stokes of Mulga. The suspect who was killed was later identified as 38-year-old Stephen Douglas Crump of Edgewater.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Stokes was charged with Murder, and remains in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting trial. The third suspect was not immediately identified.

Evidence Technicians processed the crime scene and collected the mask that had been worn during the crime. The mask was submitted to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for DNA testing. DNA was collected from the mask and processed through CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System. The Combined DNA Index System blends forensic science and computer technology into a tool for linking violent crimes. It enables federal, state, and local forensic laboratories to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking serial violent crimes to known offenders.

On August 15, detectives received information from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences indicating that a DNA match had been obtained. The suspect was identified as Boatwright. Detectives obtained arrest warrants charging Boatwright with Murder, Robbery 1stDegree, Burglary 1st Degree, and Assault 2nd Degree.

Boatwright was located and arrested August 22. He remains in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.

Photos via Jefferson County Sheroff's Office

Like the Birmingham Patch Facebook page for more local news.