5 Charged in Kidnapping and Murder of West Hartford Man

HARTFORD, CT - Court officials announced Thursday afternoon that a federal grand jury has charged five men with the kidnapping and murder of Charles Teasley, 35, of West Hartford in January 2009.

This matter stems from a long-term investigation into the matter, according to a release. Departments involved in the investigation included the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Hartford Police Department and the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

Charged in the indictment, which was returned under seal on March 30, 2017, are:

• Harold Cook, also known as “Oink,” 40, of Bloomfield
• Gerund Mickens, also known as “Breeze,” 41, of Bloomfield
• Terrell Hunter, also known as “Rell” and “Killer,” 35, of Hartford
• Douglas Lee, also known as “Fly,” 42, of Hartford
• Jesus Ashanti, also known as “Black,” 40, formerly of Hartford

The suspects are charged with kidnapping resulting in death and a number of related charges. Each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment for life, or death if the government seeks the death penalty in this matter.

Cook, Mickens and Hunter were arrested on April 4, and Lee was arrested Thursday. Ashanti is presently incarcerated for unrelated offenses.

Police responded to Colebrook Street in Hartford in response to reports of a dead body in the back seat of a vehicle parked on the side of the road on January 12, 2009. Officers located a grey 1999 Acura TL parked on the street upon arrival.

Charles Teasley was found dead in the back seat of the vehicle, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face. His hands were zip-tied behind his back.

Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti are charged with committing armed robberies of people they believed to be drug dealers. Lee had made arrangements on January 9, 2009, to conduct a cocaine transaction with the victim, and planned to kidnap him in order to take his drugs and money.

The suspects then went to a meeting location and kidnapped Teasley by using zip-ties to bind his hands and forcing him back into his own vehicle. They threatened the victim at gun point, assaulted him and forced him to make a telephone call directing his girlfriend to bring them a safe he had hidden at their place.

They then drove Teasley to a residential section of Hartford and murdered him.

“The seven years of intense investigative work by law enforcement partners resulting in the five alleged perpetrators of this heinous crime being brought to justice highlights our dedication to ending senseless gun violence in Connecticut,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick said in a release.

The unsolved homicide of Teasley was included in cold case playing cards sold to inmates in Connecticut’s state correctional facilities. Each card in the deck features a photograph and brief details about a homicide or missing person case and lists telephone, mail and e-mail contacts that inmates can use to supply information.

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