Police, SWAT apprehend two suspects in connection to 2006 murder
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Updated: 7:37 AM Jul 31, 2008
Police, SWAT apprehend two suspects in connection to 2006 murder
Homicide investigators arrested two people Wednesday in connection to the 2006 murder of 16-year-old Ja-Vonda Tharbs, a Washington High School cheerleader.
Posted: 4:37 PM Jul 30, 2008
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Homicide investigators arrested two people Wednesday in connection to a 2006 murder of 16-year-old Ja-Vonda Tharbs, a Washington High School cheerleader.



Jason Reeves

Jason Reeves, 31, faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

His girlfriend, Clover Smith, 31, faces a charge of assisting a criminal.

Mishawaka police called in the St. Joseph County/Mishawaka SWAT team after finding a potentially dangerous situation while attempting to carry out the arrest of Reeves and Smith.

When officers arrived at the home on Christyann Street where they believed the couple to be, they found a woman and two children also in the home.



Clover Smith

Because children were involved, the police decided to call in the SWAT team.

SWAT officers negotiated with the adults in the home, and at one time spoke with one of the children.

Reeves and Smith eventually exited the home and were apprehended by the officers.

Neither child was injured during the ordeal. The third adult also left the home safely.



Jermaine Reeves

Police are still looking for a third man, Jermaine Reeves, who also faces a conspiracy to commit murder charge.

As you may remember, Larry Mitchell was already convicted of fatally shooting Tharbs on prom night, at her sister's apartment.

According to the affidavit, statements from Mitchell -- who has admitted to firing the shot that killed the 16-year-old -- led investigators to Smith and Reeves.

The affidavit also indicates that Tharbs was not the intended target.

Jason Reeves, Jermaine Reeves, and Terry Wadell were seeking revenge against someone they believe shot their mother.

Larry Mitchell, a friend of the brothers, was the only one who actually fired any shots.

Clover Smith was not with the men at the time, but she allegedly knew about their plot, and they were driving a car she leased when the murder happened.



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