A $150,000 bond has been set for Ashley Gray, 40, who is accused of being an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder in connection with the double homicide at the 9x second line parade last month. Gray is alleged to have helped create a false alibi and misled investigators about the firearm used in the shooting that killed Rasean Carter, 21, and Malachi Jackson, 19, and injured 13 others.
Ashley Gray, who was arrested at her River Ridge home, is the mother of Curtis Gray, the 19-year-old charged with the second-degree murder of Carter and Jackson. The gun linked to the crime was registered to Ashley Gray, and, as reported by WWLTV, court records show that she had not reported it stolen despite claiming it had been taken from her vehicle months prior. This gun had been previously seized and returned to her by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
As detailed in the WWLTV report, detectives discovered text messages between Ashley and Curtis Gray suggesting they tried to create a false story. One message from Ashley tells Curtis to change his phone number because "you was with us anyway the [whole] time." The mother and son claimed they were together and away from the violence on November 17, but cell phone data showed they were in different locations during the critical moments, contradicting their alibi.
Joe Raspanti, a Fox 8 legal analyst, highlighted the seriousness of Ashley Gray's charges, noting that her current charge could result in up to five years in prison, with the possibility of additional charges like witness tampering or obstruction of justice. "It seems they have pretty solid evidence because they have text messages, which is physical evidence they can produce, and she lied to the policemen," Raspanti said in an interview with Fox 8.
The case is complicated by the fact that the firearm used in the double homicide was linked to Ashley Gray and had been involved in a previous criminal investigation, according to WDSU.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, in a press briefing obtained by WWLTV, suggested that more charges could be filed against Gray.
Ashley Gray, now under house arrest and required to surrender all firearms as part of her bond conditions, is scheduled to appear before a judge in Orleans Criminal District Court in early February. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Section detectives, as public safety and the pursuit of justice remain a priority in the Crescent City.
