Episode 255
Dive into the dark and intricate details of a meticulously orchestrated crime on "Sword and Scale," where hosts delve into the chilling Black Friday murder of Ashley Harris by her former colleagues, Carter Cervantes and David Mallory. This episode unravels a tale of calculated revenge, run amok when Harris is brutally murdered after being suspected of theft, leading to the dismissal of Cervantes and Mallory. The narrative weaves through their series of criminal endeavors, including a heist at an American Eagle store, as the speakers shed light on the planning and folly that marked their eventual downfall.
The episode paints a stark portrait of the perpetrators, especially Cervantes, who, despite her attempt to play the innocent card at her trial, was foiled by evidence of her deep-seated sociopathic traits. Mike Boudet and a cadre of voices from Ashlea's neighbor to her boss provide nuanced viewpoints that expose a sinister thrill in executing enterprise fraught with deception and betrayal. As the story of this heinous act unfolds, listeners are confronted with a gripping saga of crime and consequence, revealing the chilling depths of human duplicity and malice.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Dec 18, 2023 episode of the Sword and Scale
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
The murder of Ashley Harris
Carter Cervantes and David Mallory meticulously planned and executed the murder of former colleague Ashley Harris. The crime occurred after Harris's shift on Black Friday and involved her being bound, beaten, strangled, and her apartment set on fire in an attempt to hide evidence. The motive behind this brutal act was rooted in a desire for revenge, following suspicion about a prior theft and their resultant dismissal from employment.
Cervantes and Mallory's criminal activities included a previous American Eagle store robbery that had successfully netted them $18,000. Security footage and evidence from David's phone indicated their planning and reconnaissance activities for this and other planned crimes, including the intention to rob American Eagle again after murdering Harris. However, their plan to steal the Black Friday sales cash was foiled when they discovered that the keys they possessed were no longer useful.
During her trial, Carter Cervantes attempted to deflect blame by claiming she was asleep during the murder and portraying herself as a victim of David Mallory's coercive behavior. Nevertheless, her defense was unsuccessful in shifting the guilt away from her own involvement in the planning and the actual murder.
Cervantes's sociopathic tendencies became apparent throughout the investigation, as she was seen by her own boss as a caring figure yet was revealed to harbor a dark and manipulative nature. Mike Boudet characterized her as a "thrill killer," deriving pleasure not from the potential financial benefits but from the fulfillment of her sinister plans. Her actions demonstrated a lack of empathy and remorse and a flagrant disregard for the law and human life.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Mike Boudet is a podcaster known for his true crime podcast called "Sword and Scale." He has covered various criminal cases and is recognized for his in-depth analysis and storytelling style within the true crime genre. Boudet's commentary often provides insights and perspectives on criminal behavior and investigations, contributing to the broader true crime community's discussions and understanding of complex cases.
- The keys mentioned in the text were crucial for the foiled plan because they were intended to provide access to the location where the Black Friday sales cash was kept. However, the keys became useless, thwarting the criminals' attempt to steal the money. This unexpected obstacle disrupted their scheme and prevented them from carrying out the robbery as planned.
- The planning and reconnaissance activities mentioned in the text involved Carter Cervantes and David Mallory preparing for criminal acts, such as robbery and murder. They were observed studying locations, gathering information, and strategizing their crimes. This included intentions to commit further robberies after the murder of Ashley Harris. Their activities were captured on security footage and through evidence found on David's phone.
- Carter Cervantes displayed sociopathic tendencies characterized by a lack of empathy, remorse, and a disregard for the law and human life. She was described as a "thrill killer," finding pleasure in executing sinister plans rather than financial gain. Her manipulative nature and ability to portray a caring facade while harboring dark intentions were key aspects of her sociopathic behavior. These tendencies were evident in her involvement in planning and executing the murder of Ashley Harris.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
The murder of Ashley Harris
The tragic case of Ashley Harris's murder highlights a profound betrayal by one-time colleagues and the chilling premeditation of a violent crime.
Carter Cervantes and David Mallory planned and carried out Harris's murder
Carter Cervantes and David Mallory, former coworkers of Ashley's at American Eagle, meticulously planned the cold-blooded murder of Harris. On a fateful morning after Black Friday, Ashley Harris, an assistant manager at American Eagle, was found bound and partially burnt in her apartment following a brutal attack.
Mike Boudet and the investigation relay that Carter and David attacked Ashley Harris after her Black Friday shift. They bound her hands and feet with duct tape, delivered blunt force trauma, strangled her, and then set her apartment on fire in an attempt to conceal their heinous act. Motivated by revenge for being suspected in a previous theft and anger over their termination, Carter and David's actions were driven by a sinister desire for retribution and financial gain.
Cervantes and Mallory's plan to rob an American Eagle store
Before Ashley Harris's death, a robbery at an American Eagle store at Hulen Mall, perpetrated by Cervantes and Mallory, netted them $18,000. The theft was deeply suspicious, with the thief knowing precisely how to bypass security, an inside job that pointed to Mallory and Cervantes. The planning for their crime sprees included surveilling an American Eagle store manager and attempts to incapacitate her to steal keys. The evidence found on David's phone confirmed their schemes.
The murderous duo's intent to murder Ashley was part of a larger plan to return to American Eagle and steal $40,000 to $50,000 in Black Friday sales. However, after they committed the murder, they learned that the keys were no longer useful, thwarting their robbery plan.
Cervantes testifying in her own defense at trial
Carter Cervantes later claimed in her defense that she was asleep at home during the murder, placing the blame squarely on David. Her testimony painted ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The murder of Ashley Harris
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Mike Boudet is a podcaster known for his true crime podcast, "Sword and Scale." In this context, it seems that Mike Boudet was involved in the investigation of the murder case of Ashley Harris, possibly providing insights or information related to the crime. His involvement suggests that he may have shared details about the case through his podcast or other platforms.
- A "Black Friday shift" typically refers to the work shift that employees in retail stores undertake on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. This day is known for massive sales and promotions, often leading to large crowds and increased workload for retail workers. The term "Black Friday" originated from the idea that retailers' profits would go from being in the red (losses) to in the black (profits) due to the high sales volume on this day.
- Hulen Mall is a shopping mall in southwest Fort Worth, Texas, known for its diverse range of stores and two major department store anchors. It was officially dedicated in 1977 and has undergone expansions over the years, including the addition of new stores and amenities. The mall serves as a popular retail destination in the DFW Metroplex area.
- Sociopathic tendencies typically involve a lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse for one's actions, along with manipulative and deceitful behavior. Individuals with sociopathic traits may disregard social norms and the rights of others, often exhibiting a pattern of disregard for the law and ethical standards. They can be charming and charismatic but lack genuine emotional connections with others, viewing people as tools to be used f ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
