JaMarlon Lee Montrice Clardy, a 45-year-old African American man from Fort Worth, Texas, tragically died on August 2, 2022. He was fatally shot by his neighbor, former Dallas Police Officer Cathryn Lafitte, 43, following a dispute over a necklace. According to reports, Clardy had been in a long-standing feud with Lafitte over his dogs and the necklace.
On the day of the incident, Clardy went to Lafitte's home to retrieve the necklace, and after a brief confrontation, Lafitte shot him once in the back and once in the upper abdomen.
The Fort Worth Police Department responded to the scene and found Clardy lying in the front yard with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators discovered multiple cartridge casings near the front door of Lafitte's house. A witness, who was in a relationship with Clardy, provided crucial information and recorded audio of the incident. The recording captured Clardy asking for his necklace, followed by gunshots.
Based on the evidence, including the witness's account and video footage from Clardy's phone, detectives determined that Lafitte's version of events did not match the evidence. Lafitte was arrested and charged with one count of murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her bond was set at $100,000. The case highlights the tragic consequences of unresolved disputes and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.
