Justice for Katie Hamlin

Katie Hamlin's rapist and murderer was formally sentenced to life in prison plus 80 years yesterday in Cherokee County, Georgia. Katie was only 15 when she met up with a guy that she thought was her friend on July 1, 2002. Something went wrong that night. Jamerson decided to rape Katie and authorities believe she died during the assault. Jamerson Mangrum and another young man then sat Katie on fire and left her lifeless body less than a mile from his home. Someone found Katie burning a short while later. Katie was dead.
DNA testing revealed a brutal assault and it was liked to Jamerson Mangrum, who was only 17 at the time of the crime.

Mangrum claimed that he had sex with Katie before dropping her off at an apartment complex. Although Jamerson took the stand in his own defense, the jury did not buy his story. He was subsequently found guilty of Katie's rape and murder.
No body knows exactly what prompted the attack and murder, but Mangrum will spend the rest of his life behind bars. It is known that Katie fought for her life that night and that someone intended to kill her.
Katie's case was tried in Cherokee County, Georgia, the same county where Sueann Ray vanished this past August. An area I'm all too familiar with from the searching we've done for Sueann. What used to be a safe and quiet community has become scary and uncertain. There has to be a way to stop these things from happening.

Related Links:
Mangrum Gets Life Plus 80 Years
Katie Hamlin Case Thread on FindCarrie Board


Today's blog entry is dedicated to Carrie Culberson and all missing and murdered people. May justice and answers be found for each person. You are in my thoughts always.