Amanda Blackburn's husband before judge hands defendant 30-years: 'I’ve chosen to forgive'

Johnny Magdaleno
Indianapolis Star

Davey Blackburn told the man who burglarized his home in 2015 that he hoped he would come to feel "deep conviction" for his role in the events that led to the fatal shooting Amanda Blackburn.

The local pastor was one of three victims who spoke during Diano Gordon's sentencing hearing, which ended with a sentence of 25 years imprisonment and five years of probation.

Gordon and two other men, Larry Taylor Jr. and Jalen E. Watson, were charged in connection with the death of Amanda Blackburn and a string of burglaries that upended three Indianapolis residences during the trio's crime spree in November 2015.  

Davey Blackburn called their crimes "selfish and demonic" Monday, but also said he thought the worst of situations can be redeemed during a statement to the court in which he emphasized forgiveness.

Gordon, 30, accepted a plea deal in 2018 on the condition he work with prosecutors in the case against Taylor, who was convicted last week on two counts of murder and 10 other charges including burglary, theft, criminal confinement and carrying a handgun without a license.

Watson pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and two counts of burglary in 2017. He was sentenced to 29 years imprisonment in 2021.

More:Larry Jo Taylor convicted of Amanda Blackburn's murder

Gordon honored his pledge by testifying at Taylor’s trial, deputy prosecutor Mark Busby said Monday. During that testimony Gordon admitted to Marion Superior Judge Grant Hawkins' courtroom that he was a thief, but said he didn't think they were going to hurt anybody the day Blackburn was killed.

It was a killing that grabbed national headlines and traumatized multiple families who are struggling to recover from the crime seven years later.

Davey Blackburn speaks

At one point during last week’s trial, Gordon looked at Taylor and mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”  

Davey Blackburn said he was in the courtroom when that silent apology occurred. He described the moment while giving a statement Monday at Gordon’s sentencing hearing.

He expressed to Gordon that he hoped he felt an even deeper remorse for his role in the death of the 28-year-old woman.  

She was the “most amazing girl" who “wanted her life to matter,” Davey Blackburn said. The two moved to Indianapolis from South Carolina a few years before her death to start a church.  

More:Another mistrial in Indianapolis case against man who allegedly killed Amanda Blackburn

More:A judge explains why the Amanda Blackburn murder case is taking so long to get to trial

Blackburn was pregnant with the couple’s second child at the time she was fatally shot in the back of the head. 

“I’ve chosen to forgive you,” Davey Blackburn said while looking Gordon in the eye. “I’ve chosen not to hold this against you.” 

He said he hoped Gordon would eventually redeem himself by becoming “less like Larry, and more like Amanda.” He asked Hawkins to give Gordon a sentence that would allow "restorative justice."

Other victims speak up

Two other victims whose homes were burglarized by Gordon also spoke Monday. It wasn’t the loss of material things in 2015 that affected them the most, they said. It was the loss of a sense of security and the onset of mental health struggles, both of which linger to this day, according to victims Jacola Searsbrook and Alison Becker.  

“The person I used to be is gone,” Searsbrook said through tears. Puffy bags rounded out her eyes; she said she hadn’t had a full night's sleep in the past seven years. 

After all his victims spoke, Gordon stood up, turned around and addressed the court audience. Or, more accurately, he tried to. During the first minute of his allocution statement, Gordon was stifled by tears.

More:Amanda Blackburn shooting: Man sentenced to 29 years in connection to 2015 killing

“Hold your head up,” a member of Gordon’s family shouted.  

“I apologize,” he finally spoke. “I know nothing I could say would bring her back.” He said it directly to Davey Blackburn, and Davey Blackburn stared back, his face stern, head nodding.  

“I just want you to know this is not who I am,” Gordon said. “I’m still trying to find myself.”  

"Thank you," Blackburn said when Gordon finished.

Gordon given max sentence

The 30-year sentence he received Monday was the maximum available in line with the conditions of his plea agreement, according to the court. He was found guilty of two burglary charges and a charge of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury. Five other charges against him, including two murder charges, were dropped.  

Busby said Monday "every shred of evidence we've been given" suggested Gordon wasn't the one who pulled the trigger in Blackburn’s homicide. He told Hawkins he was concerned about Gordon's safety while in prison because he snitched on Taylor. Gordon made an agreement with prosecutors years ago, Busby said, and he stood by it. 

More:After wife's murder, Davey Blackburn shares 'a message of forgiveness'

Gordon’s attorney Andrew Borland also painted Gordon as one of the least concerning of the three co-defendants.

“These other guys, they were dudes doing bad things,” Borland said Monday. “But (Taylor) was a bad, bad dude.” 

When making his decision, Hawkins said he became a judge 22 years ago on the conviction that everyone who would appear before him could become a better person.  

“(That) lasted about a year,” he added.  

He pointed out that Gordon has a past of non-violent adult and juvenile crimes. If Gordon remains on good behavior while incarcerated and complies with social programs like mental health treatment, he could be out of prison in a couple decades because of good time credit laws in the state. He may also be permitted to request a modification to his sentence in ten years.  

Hawkins urged Gordon to find a profession other than stealing from others. Gordon was a burglar, but clearly “not a very good one,” Hawkins said, considering the number of times he’d been caught. 

Taylor's sentencing hearing is scheduled for October.

Call IndyStar courts reporter Johnny Magdaleno at 317-273-3188 or email him at jmagdaleno@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @IndyStarJohnny