Road Trip Costs

Road Trip Costs
Gas calculator for Labor Day trip

°

Homepage / Jacksonville News
Text Size

Documents Detail Death Of Makia Coney

2 University Christian Classmates Charged With Murder In 17-Year-Old's Death

POSTED: Friday, March 12, 2010
UPDATED: 7:58 pm EST March 12, 2010

Documents obtained from the state attorney's office about the shooting death of a University Christian School student detail how two fellow students became suspects, then defendants charged with murder.

Makia Coney's body was found along Powers Avenue on Feb. 10, just hours after she left campus. Two days later, classmates Charles Southern, 17, and Connor Pridgen, 16, were arrested.

Documents Channel 4 obtained show that Pridgen was the last person to say he saw Coney -- in the hallway at school.

Officers said when they questioned Pridgen in the hours after Coney's disappearance, he told them he saw Coney going to the gym to watch a basketball game as he headed to the weight room for a workout.

Pridgen, who was described as cooperative, said his workout continued from 4 p.m. until his mother came to pick him up at 5:45 p.m. Coney's body was found about one hour later.

Makia Coney
Makia Coney
Surveillance pictures show two pickup trucks on University Boulevard that are only in view for about seven seconds around 4:15 p.m.

Police said Coney, Pridgen and Southern were in Southern's red pickup truck when they went to the scene where Coney's body was found.

Police never questioned Southern while Coney was still missing, but one day after her death, an investigative report listed him as a potential suspect. Detectives said a later search of Southern's Julington Creek home turned up a pair of shoes with blood on them.

Police have said that Coney willingly left campus with the two boys and they rode around for a couple of hours before Southern and Pridgen each shot her one time.

According to the medical examiner's report, Coney was shot once in the face and a second time in the head. The documents said no drug were in her system other than caffeine.

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report said that both guns used to kill Coney were recovered: one found in Pridgen's home and the second -- a .44-caliber revolver last in the possession of Southern -- was found off county Road 210 in St. Johns County.

Among the other things listed as evidence was a drawing of the crime scene by Pridgen. Another piece of evidence listed is a hate mail letter that the report says was sent to Coney's church.

Police and those familiar with the families said Southern and Pridgen were friends with Coney. None of the court documents indicate a possible motive for the shooting.

After their their initial arrest as juveniles, Southern and Pridgen were indicted as adults on first-degree murder charges. They pleaded not guilty. They are being held without bond in the Duval County jail.

The views expressed are not those of News4Jax.com, WJXT or its affiliated companies. This is a community moderated forum (Please note the 'Flag' button). By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Are your emotions getting in the way of your everyday life? Learn how to recognize common emotional health problems. More

We've assembled a short list of myths and separated fact from fiction when it comes to traffic laws. More

Step inside the luxurious homes of seven stars, and find out how the famous sellers have priced their posh pads. More

It’s easy for us to go with the quick and unhealthy option when it’s time to grab lunch during a busy work day. Get tips on how to eat healthier at work. More

Most Popular