BIRMINGHAM – DNA evidence has linked a second suspect to a September 2017 home invasion that ended in a fatality.  That suspect has been charged with murder.

On September 15, 2017, deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a home in the 200 block of Bayview Drive in Mulga.

Evidence from the scene indicated that a male homeowner and friend were visiting together in the home.  Two armed men invaded the residence, they were able to force their way in and tried to rob the homeowner and his friend.  The homeowner and friend began to fight back, and during the course of events the homeowner was struck in the head with a handgun.  As the struggle continued a shot was fired, it struck one of the suspects whom was later pronounced dead at the scene.

A mask, worn by the other suspect, came off during the altercation with the victims.  He fled the scene to a waiting vehicle.  A third suspect, later identified as 39-year old Horace Dewayne Stokes of Mulga, drove away from the scene.

The suspect who was killed was later identified as 38-year-old Stephen Douglas Crump of Edgewater.

Stokes was charged with murder. He 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.

Detective received information from the Alabama Department of Forensic Science, on August 15, indicating that a match had been found for the DNA.  Through that match the suspect was identified as 40-old Jason Dale Boatwright of Bessemer.

Arrest warrants were obtained ahd Boatwright was charged with murder, robbery  first degree, burglary second Degree, and assault second Degree.

On August 22, 2018, Boatwright was located and then arrested. He is currently in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.