Two people accused of being involved in a love triangle murder at a Florida high school as teens in 2021 have been sentenced to 25 years in prison, while a third individual awaits trial.
Christie Parisien, 20, and Jaslyn Smith, 19, received 25-year prison sentences followed by 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to the murder of Dwight “DJ” Grant, 18.
Also accused is Andre D. Clements III, 20, who has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial in 2025.
Local10 reported that Grant went missing on October 17, 2021, and was found dead two days later in a bush behind an apartment complex, with a knife wound in his neck and a sword wound in his chest, according to police.
Detectives said they later found surveillance footage and text messages indicating Parisien, Smith, and Clements were involved in Grant’s murder.
Parisien and Clements, both then 17, were allegedly dating, and both were believed to be friends with Smith. Detectives believe that Clements viewed Grant as a romantic rival as he allegedly had sex with an unnamed ex-girlfriend, as reported by Local10.
Person arrested in handcuffs. Two people have been sentenced in connection with a teen murder.
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Police records obtained by Local10 allege that Parisien lured Grant to a stairwell under the guise of sex, while Smith and Clements waited for his arrival.
Purported text messages from Clements to Parisien in October 2021 reportedly, “Murder will definitely happen soon,” “It’ll be bloody,” and “Help me kill him,” according to an arrest warrant.
The outlet reported that Miramar Detective Pedro Interian wrote in a report that, “Andre and Jaslyn are captured on video carrying what appeared to be a lifeless victim out of the stairwell and dropping him to the ground,” and that they allegedly used cleaning supplies and fire to hide the evidence.
Although the crime occurred when the accused were juveniles, the three were charged as adults with first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in November 2021 according to Broward County State Attorney’s press release.
Clement filed a 16-page motion asking the judge to dismiss the conspiracy to commit murder charge due to “fundamental defects” in the indictment in July according to Local10.
His defense attorneys reported that he plans to defend himself in court alongside attorneys according to Local10.
During the plea hearing for Smith and Parisien, Grant’s aunt Nadine Dixon recalled planning to attend his high school graduation and said, “We were robbed of that joyous occasion. Robbed of what he would become. Robbed of seeing his children. Robbed of seeing him getting married…” according to the Miami Herald.
Newsweek reached out to Miramar Police Department for comment via email.
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