Somer Thompson -- Found Deceased 10/21/09

Man charged in Somer Thompson’s murder
Seven-year-old disappeared while walking home from school last year

updated 12:34 p.m. ET, Fri., March. 26, 2010


Jarred Harrell is seen in this booking photo released by the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Clay County Sheriff's Office via AP

ORANGE PARK, Fla. - Investigators in Florida have charged a 24-year-old man with murder in the slaying of a 7-year-old girl who disappeared while walking home from school last year.

Jarred Mitchell Harrell was charged Friday with killing Somer Thompson. He has been in custody since Feb. 11, when authorities arrested Harrell in Mississippi on Florida child pornography charges. Harrell was then extradited to Florida.

Somer disappeared Oct. 19 and a massive search was launched in the Jacksonville suburb of Orange Park. Her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill nearly 50 miles away.

Detectives said Harrell was then living at his parents' home near Somer's school and house.

The news was first reported by the Clay Today Web site, which reported that Harrell was a former resident of Orange Park, Florida, and lived on the same route that the girl used when she went missing in October.

The Clay Today report came ahead of a press conference by "Team Somer" of Clay County Sheriff's Office at the Frist Baptist Church of Orange Park.

Jail records released by the Sheriff’s Office said that Harrell, 24, was charged with premeditated murder, sexual battery of a child under 12 and lewd and lascivious battery, according to Clay Today.

Harrell has been in the Clay County Jail since last month when he was extradited from Meridian, Miss., Clay Today said.

The Web site added that Harrell had been charged with more than 55 counts as well as charges — unrelated to Somer Thompson — that he sexually molested a young girl and videotaped the assault, according to court records.

At an initial appearance in Clay County Court earlier this month Harrell pleaded not guilty to the charges and had asked for a public defender.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36051745/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

55 counts?! OMG! My poor heart can't take much more of this.

I just caught the end of a news segment and they said that this creeps family swears he isn't capable of violence. Huh?

They should make his family view the explicit videos!!!!Then ask them what they think!!!

Video: Diena Thompson Speaks after Jarred Harrell Announcement

Video: Diena Thompson Speaks to Public after Harrell Announcement

Video: Neighbors Speak about Recent Arrest in Somer Case

J4A, thank you so much for posting the videos of Diena. I've watched them more than once. I amazed at her poise and strength. I've had to fight back tears everytime I've seen her speak. I am thankful she has so many people to support her and her family.

You are welcome Piper.

Here's a link to a video that will probably make you fight back tears. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to embed here. It is on the right near the top at the link.

http://www.fox30jax.com/content/actionlocal/story/Danny-Gokey-sings-for-Somer/NhHsvmPkTEm9e49xYfcFvg.cspx

Danny Gokey sings for Somer

Last Update: 3/26 7:34 pm



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- American Idol's Danny Gokey visited Action News Friday. After hearing about what happened to Somer Thompson, he sang a special song in her memory.

Gokey also took the time to talk to Action News' Dawn Lopez during the noon show.

The former Idol contestant will be singing at The Jacksonville Landing Friday night at 9 p.m.

That was absolutely beautiful....It should be the theme song for all missing and murdered children...So full of Love and Emotion...One can only imagine....

That was beautiful hearing Danny Gokey sing for Somer..... he lost his wife right before he was on AI last season, so he is all too familiar with the pain of losing someone you love.

Somer Thompson benefit at Jacksonville Landing brings tears

Event was time of reflection.

Posted: March 28, 2010 - 12:22am
By Tia Mitchell



Diena Thompson brought a jolt of energy to the Somer Jam concert held Saturday in her slain daughter's memory.

She danced and sang along to the chorus of the Journey song a band on stage was covering: "Don't Stop Believin'."

The crowd joined in, singing a song that seemed to personify Thompson's efforts to bring justice and now a purpose for the brutal murder last fall of 7-year-old Somer.

The Somer Jam, held Saturday at The Jacksonville Landing, was both the official kickoff and a fundraiser for the Somer Thompson Foundation, which will raise awareness about protecting children from sexual predators, as well as support the families of victims.

Diena Thompson mingled with the crowd about 6 p.m., accepting hugs and pats on the back from strangers who attended the benefit. She smiled when Rita Laufer approached her, but only a few moments passed before both women, and Dave Laufer, standing nearby, were weeping.

Rita Laufer said she told Thompson, "We feel what she feels."

Their son, 26-year-old Eric, was killed last year, and his assailant has not been caught.

The Laufers flew in from Buffalo, N.Y., when the leader of the Something Distant band asked if musician Dave Laufer could fill-in at the last minute on bass. Because of their own story, they didn't hesitate to join the cause for Somer.

The Laufers arrived Friday night, just hours after Jarred Harrell was formally charged with murder and other crimes that police say are connected to Somer's death. Rita Laufer said she can only try to imagine what Thompson was going through.

"It's got to make her feel like this will never happen again, but it will never bring her daughter back," she said. "Her heart will never stop breaking. Ever."

Scott Hanson, who lives on Jacksonville's Northside and grew up listening to headliner band Molly Hatchet, brought his 5-year-old son Devin to the concert with him. He said Somer's death was a rude awakening.

"It opened my eyes to awareness and how you need to watch your children because my son plays outside every day," he said. "You never know who's driving around the corner."

Hanson said he wanted to support the Somer Jam because the foundation will provide a necessary service.

"We need to bring awareness to what's really going on in our neighborhoods," he said, "and keep our children safe."

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-03-28/story/somer-benefit-brings-tears

Now this is what it is all about!!! The Scamthony's should take a page out of their book....Somer's family is standing tall through adversity...She would be proud of them...

Thanks, J4A & Piper for posting the videos. Danny Gokey's song is beautiful and did bring the tears.

Diena Thompson is so strong. She (as well as all other parents of murdered children) has been forced into the position she never thought she would be in - living a nightmare that none of us ever want endure.

The Jarred Harrells of the world have no idea nor do they care what pain they cause and that they have forever altered so many lives.

Mother Tells 'Today' of 'Beautiful, Wonderful Child'

posted by halboedeker on March, 29 2010 10:36 AM

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In an exclusive interview this morning on “Today,” Diena Thompson celebrated her slain daughter, Somer.

“She was a beautiful, wonderful child,” Thompson told Ann Curry. “We miss her, and we love her.”

Thompson was a portrait of grace and dignity under pressure.

She appeared via satellite from Jacksonville, and she kept the focus on Somer. Thompson said she felt some relief since Jared Harrell was charged Friday with the premeditated murder of 7-year-0ld Somer. But Thompson added that the pain would never go away. She thanked the public for its support and said a foundation established to honor Somer will focus on prevention but also helping other families who lose their children.



http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/03/somer-thompson-mother-tells-today-of-beautiful-wonderful-child.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+entertainment%2Ftv%2Ftvguy+%28TV+Guy%29

Four Count Indictment for Harrell in Thompson Murder Case

By Tiffany Griffith
April 1, 2010 6:54 PM

With a jury's indictment, Jarred Harrell is officially eligible for the death penalty, if found guilty of Somer Thompson's murder.

Thursday afternoon, a grand jury indicted 24-year-old Jarred Harrell on four counts in connection to the 7-year-old's murder. The counts include murder in the first degree, kidnapping, sexual battery and lewd or lascivious battery.

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler says this is the first step in a long trial process.

"Complex cases like this, if you look at some of the Casey Anthony case down in Orlando or even right here, the Michael Jackson case in Clay County, just recently, it took three years to bring that case to trial," says Beseler. "These are very complex cases. A great deal of pre-trial work and depositions and discovery and all those things that have to go on - very easily it could take a couple of years before this case would be ready to go to trial."

He also mentioned that it's hard to say whether Harrell would be tried in Clay County because the case received so much attention. It will be up to the judge to decide whether a change of venue is necessary for Harrell to receive a fair trial.

Harrell was officially charged last Friday with the October abduction, rape and murder of 7-year-old Somer Thompson. The girl disappeared after walking home from school along Gano Avenue in Orange Park.

Harrell's arraignment on the indictment is scheduled for April 8th at the Clay County Courthouse.

http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/04/four-count-indictment-for-harr.html

Here is a link to Harrell's indictment.

Warning: It is graphic and very disturbing.

http://download.gannett.edgesuite.net/wtlv/docs/040110_harrellindictment.pdf

Jarred Harrell Indicted By Grand Jury
Man Accused Of Killing 7-Year-Old Somer Thompson

POSTED: 6:10 pm EDT April 1, 2010
UPDATED: 6:58 pm EDT April 1, 2010

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The man accused of killing a 7-year-old Clay County girl has been indicted by a grand jury.

State Attorney Angela B. Corey announced Thursday that the Clay County grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Jarred Mitchell Harrell with murder in the first-degree, kidnapping, sexual battery and lewd or lascivious battery in relation to the disappearance and death of Somer Renee Thompson.

Somer disappeared Oct. 19 from her neighborhood in Orange Park. Her body was found two days later in a landfill in Folkston, Ga.

On Feb. 23, detectives with the Clay County Sheriff's Office transported Harrell from Meridian, Miss., where he had been arrested, to the Clay County Jail on charges not related to Somer's death. At that time, Harrell was only considered a person of interest in the girl's death, investigators said.

On March 26, Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler gathered the "Team Somer" task force to announce that Harrell had been charged with murder.

On Thursday, evidence was presented to the grand jurors of Clay County, who returned the four-count indictment against Harrell at about 4 p.m.

Judge William A. Wilkes accepted the indictment and set no bond on the charges.

Harrell's arraignment on the indictment is scheduled for April 8 in Clay County.

http://www.wesh.com/news/23029131/detail.html