Young Man, Teen Charged In Beating Death, Burning Of Pregnant Melvindale Woman

DETROIT (WWJ) - Charges have been filed in the horrific murder of a pregnant Melvindale woman.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday that accused killers 23-year-old Jacob Barnes of Lincoln Park, and 16-year-old Jeremy Lee of Detroit each have been charged with felony murder, first degree murder, assault of a pregnant individual causing death of a fetus and mutilation of a dead body.

Worthy said the teenager will be charged as an adult.

Police say Barnes and Lee brutally attacked 29-year-old of Amanda Benton early in the morning of Monday, Sept. 26  at Woodmere and Cabot in Detroit — beating her in the head, neck and abdomen before loading her body into the trunk of her car.

The two then allegedly drove to an abandoned home iin the 8000 block of Vanderbilt where they set Benton's body on fire.

Police said a 16-year-old girl was also assaulted by Barnes and Lee. Benton's car was later found abandoned.

Prosecutors have not detailed a possible motive in the case.

Both defendants were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in 36th District Court.