Charlie Ely: Seath Jackson Murder & Freedom After Appeal!

Eldred Gleichner 27 May 2025

Can a person truly be free when the shadow of a past conviction still lingers? Charlie Ely's story is a testament to the enduring fight for justice, even after years spent behind bars for a crime she claims she did not commit.

In 2011, the brutal murder of 15-year-old Seath Jackson in Marion County, Florida, shocked the nation. The case quickly became a tangled web of teenage relationships, grudges, and ultimately, unspeakable violence. Among the five individuals convicted in connection with Jackson's death was Charlie Ely. Ely, then a young woman, found herself caught in the crosshairs of a horrific crime that would alter the course of her life forever. She maintained her innocence, claiming she had no role in the planning or execution of the murder. Nevertheless, she was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Category	Information
Full Name	Charlie Kay Ely
Age (as of 2024)	Approximately 30 years old
Involvement in Seath Jackson Case	Convicted of murder in 2011, conviction later vacated
Original Sentence	Life in prison without parole
Release Date	2020
Reason for Release	Federal judge ruled trial counsel was ineffective; pleaded guilty to a lesser charge
Attorney	Jose Baez
Legal Claim	Ineffective counsel; maintains innocence
Seath Jackson's Age at Death	15 years old
Location of Murder	Marion County, Florida
Other Individuals Involved	Michael Bargo, Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper, James Haven
Michael Bargo's Sentence	Death (later commuted to life in prison)
Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper's Sentence	Life in prison without parole (original sentence)
Reference Link	WESH 2 News

Years passed, and Charlie Ely remained behind bars. Her attorney, Jose Baez, fought tirelessly, arguing that she had received ineffective counsel during her initial trial. Baez asserted that Ely was not directly involved in the murder and that her legal representation had failed to adequately present her case. He maintained her innocence, emphasizing that she was merely present at the scene but did not participate in the planning or execution of the crime.

In 2020, after serving nine years of her life sentence, a federal judge ruled in Ely's favor, determining that her trial counsel had indeed been ineffective. The judge vacated her conviction, paving the way for a new trial. Instead of facing another trial, Ely's attorney negotiated a plea deal with the state. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, the specifics of which have not been widely publicized, and was subsequently released from Lowell Correctional Prison. After years of confinement, Charlie Ely had won her freedom.

The details surrounding Seath Jackson's murder paint a grim picture of teenage angst and escalating violence. Jackson, a 15-year-old Florida native, was lured to a home in Marion County, reportedly by Charlie Ely and Amber Wright. The motive behind the murder stemmed from a grudge held by one of the boys, Michael Bargo, who was allegedly infatuated with a girl that Jackson had been involved with. The events that unfolded were described as brutal and premeditated. Jackson was ambushed, beaten, and shot. The group then attempted to dispose of his body, further compounding the heinous nature of the crime.

The case against Charlie Ely hinged on her presence at the scene and her alleged involvement in luring Jackson to the location where he was murdered. Prosecutors argued that she was an active participant in the events that led to Jackson's death. However, Ely maintained that she was unaware of the plan to harm Jackson and that she did not participate in the violence. She claimed that she was simply trying to keep her rent paid and navigate the challenges of being a young woman.

The other individuals involved in Seath Jackson's murder also faced severe consequences. Michael Bargo was initially sentenced to death for his role in orchestrating the crime. However, his sentence was later commuted to life in prison without parole. Amber Wright and Kyle Hooper were also sentenced to life in prison without parole for their participation in the murder. James Haven, who was charged with aiding and abetting, received a lesser sentence.

During the investigation, Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper, and Charlie Ely initially claimed surprise that Bargo intended to kill Jackson. However, homicide detectives eventually uncovered the true extent of their involvement. Placed in a holding cell together, the three reportedly discussed the murder, with Hooper allegedly stating that Jackson deserved to die. This conversation further implicated them in the crime and solidified the case against them.

The trial of Charlie Ely was a complex and emotionally charged affair. The prosecution presented evidence to suggest that she was an active participant in the planning and execution of the murder. They argued that she had helped lure Jackson to the location where he was killed and that she was aware of the plan to harm him. The defense, on the other hand, argued that Ely was not involved in the murder and that she was simply present at the scene. They claimed that she was unaware of Bargo's intentions and that she did not participate in the violence.

The fact that after the shooting, several other teens helped Ely’s roommate dispose of Jackson’s body on Ely’s property made her situation even more complicated. It was a situation that would lead to her trial and conviction.

Ultimately, the jury found Charlie Ely guilty of murder. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, her legal battle was far from over. She appealed her conviction, arguing that she had received ineffective counsel during her trial. After years of legal wrangling, a federal judge agreed with her claim and vacated her conviction.

Charlie Ely's story raises important questions about the justice system and the complexities of criminal culpability. Was she truly responsible for Seath Jackson's death, or was she simply a victim of circumstance? Did she receive a fair trial, or was she unfairly convicted due to the actions of her attorney? These are questions that continue to be debated and discussed to this day.

Her attorney, Jose Baez, is known for taking high profile cases, and he has also represented Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of murdering her daughter, Caylee. His involvement in the Ely case gave her hope that she could get her conviction overturned. Baez argued that Ely’s initial attorney failed to adequately present her case and that she was not involved in the murder.

The details of the crime are graphic. Prosecutors said Ely and Amber Wright lured Jackson, who was 15 at the time, to Ely’s home in Summerfield, Florida. There, Jackson was ambushed and brutally murdered by Bargo and others. Jackson was beaten, shot, and his body was burned and dismembered. The gruesome details of the crime shocked the community and led to widespread outrage. It was a case that would capture the attention of the nation, and the trials of those involved were closely followed by the media.

Ely was home when the shooting occurred but maintains that she did not participate in or witness the shooting. The fact that other teens helped her roommate dispose of Jackson’s body on her property further complicated her situation. During the trial, both the prosecution and the defense described Charlie Kay Ely as a young woman who, in the months leading up to Jackson’s death, was trying to keep her rent paid and staving off financial hardship.

Seath Tyler Jackson was killed in April. The five individuals convicted of his murder were all young people who made choices that led to tragedy. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of making good decisions and avoiding violence. It also highlights the need for effective legal representation and a fair justice system.

The outcome of Charlie Ely’s case is a source of controversy, with some people believing that she should have remained in prison for the rest of her life. Others feel that she was wrongly convicted and that she deserved to be released. The case raises questions about the role of the justice system in punishing criminals and ensuring that justice is served. Regardless of one’s opinion on the outcome of the case, it is clear that it has had a profound impact on the lives of all those involved.

Now, Charlie Ely is free, but she must still carry the burden of her past. She will forever be associated with the murder of Seath Jackson, and she will likely face challenges and obstacles as she tries to rebuild her life. Whether she is truly innocent or guilty, she has paid a heavy price for her involvement in this tragic case.

It's important to remember that the loss of Seath Jackson is immeasurable. He was a young man with a bright future, and his life was cut short by senseless violence. His family and friends continue to mourn his loss, and they will never forget him. Justice, in its purest form, may never truly be achieved in a case like this, but the legal process, however flawed, attempts to provide some measure of closure and accountability.