Chaz Gilley, an 18-year-old male from Fort Worth, Texas, was tragically murdered on October 7, 2016. He was riding his bike home from Walmart, where he had gone to cash his paycheck, when two men followed him. According to an arrest warrant, these men knocked him off his bike and chased him before shooting him multiple times. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Chaz succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Chaz's death led to the arrest of two suspects: Lajerrian Morgan and
James Murphy. Morgan was charged with capital murder and his trial was set to begin, while Murphy was also charged with capital murder. The case saw several delays, but Chesala Markham, Chaz's mother, remained determined to see justice served. She vowed to be present in the courtroom during the trials, hoping the suspects would face the death penalty.
In a significant development, Naficy Baker was found guilty of capital murder by a Tarrant County jury and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This marked a step forward in the long and arduous journey for justice that Chesala Markham and her family have been on since Chaz's death.
The case highlighted the senseless nature of the crime, as the suspects were reportedly "laughing and bragging" about the murder shortly after it occurred. Chesala Markham has been vocal about her grief and determination to ensure that the men responsible for her son's death are held accountable. She continues to fight for justice, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar pain.
