Man charged in pastor’s wife’s slaying sentenced to 29 years

<p>INDIANAPOLIS &mdash; A man charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an Indianapolis pastor’s pregnant wife in 2015 has been sentenced to 29 years in prison under a plea deal in which he agreed to testify against two co-defendants.</p>
<p>Jalen E. Watson, 27, pleaded guilty to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2c0165fa2c5c4874a991abc663e67225"> one count of robbery and two counts of burglary</a> stemming from the killing of Amanda Blackburn, court records show. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed seven other charges, including murder. </p>
<p>Once he completes his cooperation with the state in the prosecution of Larry Taylor Jr. and Diano Gordon, he may receive a reduced sentence if he has a clean conduct report, <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2021/04/22/amanda-blackburn-shooting-man-sentenced-29-years-slaying/7336111002/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot">The Indianapolis Star</a> reported.</p>
<p>Blackburn was shot and killed Nov. 10, 2015, in her home on the northwest side of Indianapolis. She was 12 weeks pregnant with the couple’s second child at the time.</p>
<p>Investigators have said the suspects saw Davey Blackburn, the woman’s husband, leave his house and began a burglary of the home. A neighbor reported hearing shots about 35 minutes after Davey Blackburn left. Amanda Blackburn died two days later.</p>