District Attorney’s Office press release
Jackie Martez Guthrie, 23, of Frankston was sentenced to Life in the penitentiary last month after pleading guilty to the July 2012 shooting death of Chantel Barrett.
Barrett was found dead outside a Coffee City residence by police on Thursday, July 19, while responding to a call about gunshots. Guthrie, 23, was quickly identified as a suspect and a manhunt was initiated. Guthrie was believed to have also kidnapped 19-year-old Tiffany Hurd, who was eight months pregnant with Guthrie’s child at the time.
Approximately 24 hours later, Guthrie was spotted by former classmates vacationing in Galveston and was taken into custody without incident. Guthrie had in his possession what prosecutors believed was the weapon used to shoot Barrett. Henderson County District Attorney’s Investigators along with an investigator from the Henderson County Sheriff’s office traveled to Galveston to interview and transport Hurd back to Henderson County.
Guthrie entered his plea on the morning of June 17th in Judge Dan Moore’s 173rd Judicial District Court. Family members from both sides were in the courtroom during the proceedings.
Prosecutors and investigators believe Chantel was shot while trying to keep Guthrie from nabbing the 8-month pregnant Hurd during a scuffle between Guthrie and Hurd. District Attorney Scott McKee and Assistant District Attorney Justin Weiner prosecuted the case. Investigator John Long led the investigation for Sheriff Ray Nutt’s department.
“Chantel was a beautiful young woman who had her life senselessly taken while trying to save her friend. She is a true hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for someone she cared for,” said McKee.