A Las Vegas judge is allowing text messages and social media posts to be used in the murder case against 20-year-old Allysandra “Ally” Blea. Prosecutors say the digital evidence supports their theory in the killing of 23-year-old Mark Gaughan, who was shot during an early-morning photo session in August.
Judge Allows Messages Into Evidence
District Judge Jacqueline Bluth ruled that the search producing the messages was lawful and that the threads are relevant to the murder with a deadly weapon charge. She denied a broad defense motion to dismiss the indictment, rejecting claims that the posts were unfairly prejudicial. Prosecutors argued the messages show motive and intent, and Bluth concluded their probative value outweighed the objections, according to 8 News Now.
What The Messages Describe
Grand jury transcripts and court records reviewed by reporters show Blea’s social media accounts featured numerous photos of guns and text threads in which she talked about “shooting people,” including references to people living in flood tunnels and to sex workers. A homicide detective told jurors the material suggested “almost an obsession” with firearms and pointed to comments about wanting to shoot someone and get away with it.
Shooting During A Photo Session
Police say the shooting occurred around 4:47 a.m. on Aug. 23 on the 1000 block of Nassau Drive near Washington Avenue and North Decatur Boulevard. Gaughan was taking photos of Blea posing with a firearm when it discharged. He was found with an apparent gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. LVMPD said detectives presented the case to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, and Blea was arrested on Aug. 26 and booked on an open murder charge.
Grand Jury Was Shown Photos And Posts
Prosecutors showed grand jurors Polaroids recovered at the scene alongside social media content, including images that reporters say depict Blea with multiple firearms and a photo identified as showing a tattoo on her chest. Jurors also heard witness testimony about the moments leading up to the fatal shot.
Defense Pushes Back, Trial Dates Set
Defense lawyers argued the social posts and family references were irrelevant and prejudicial, claiming intoxication and other factors negated planning or intent. Prosecutors said the messages, photos, and witness accounts support a murder case. The judge allowed the material, and set pretrial dates and a jury trial for November, according to 8 News Now.
The case is pending. Prosecutors say the newly admitted material will be presented to jurors if the case goes to trial. Blea remains in custody on the open murder charge during pretrial proceedings.
