Break in Cold Case: Inmate Charged with 9-Year-Old Murder

Strategic Insights -

For nearly nine years, Carla Wilson prayed every day that her daughter's killer would be caught. On Thursday, police say, her wish came true. Tampa police charged Carl Chavers, a 40-year-old inmate serving a lengthy sentence on unrelated rape charges, with first-degree murder and sexual battery in the Laquetta White case. White, 15, was abducted, raped, and strangled in 2000, and her body was found in a dumpster on North O'Berry Lane.

Key Takeaways:

  • Police say DNA evidence ties Carl Chavers to the Laquetta White case, which was a cold case for nearly nine years.
  • Chavers, 40, is serving a 24-year sentence on several sexual battery charges and one count of impregnating a girl younger than 16, all out of Hillsborough County.
  • He is scheduled for release on those charges in 2032.
  • Chavers will be brought to Tampa in several weeks to face the new charges of first-degree murder and sexual battery.
  • Carla Wilson, Laquetta's mother, has been waiting for justice for nearly nine years, and police say Chavers' arrest is a huge step in that direction.
  • Chavers lived less than 100 yards from White's home when she was killed, according to Homicide Detective Eric Houston.

Statistics:

  • 15: Laquetta White's age when she was abducted, raped, and strangled.
  • 9: Number of years the Laquetta White case remained unsolved.
  • 24: Number of years Carl Chavers is serving on unrelated rape charges.
  • 2032: Year Carl Chavers is scheduled for release on those charges.
  • Less than 100: Number of yards between Chavers' home and Laquetta White's home at the time of the crime.

Sources:

  • [The Tampa Tribune - "Inmate linked to cold case Police say DNA ties him to teen's slaying" by Josteth Patioo Girona and Keith Morelli, September 11, 2009]