Investigators believe Tasia Fortune was dead before her body was hanged, a detective testified. Police ruled her death a homicide; two men were arrested on murder charges, and a warrant was issued for a third. Det. Samuel Dukes said a drug dispute appears to be the motive.
Jarques Ratliff, 51, the first person arrested in the case, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bond. Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, was arrested this week. Ratliff’s hearing resumes Sept. 30 to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury for possible indictment.
Dukes cited the medical examiner’s opinion for his testimony that the hanging was staged. Fortune’s body was found Aug. 3. Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of death or said why investigators believe her body was hanged after she was already dead. Dukes also said interviews indicated Fortune fought hard before she was killed. The scene drew attention because it recalled lynchings in Mississippi, which has a history of racial violence.
