JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jury selection was completed Monday for the man accused of killing a well-known Jacksonville radio personality, who her friends say was four months pregnant when she died. Opening statements began Monday afternoon.
Tasheka 'TySheeks' Young was found dead inside her apartment on July 23, 2022. Bursey Armstrong, the father of Young's two children, is facing two second-degree murder charges in her death. Her friends say Young was four months pregnant when she was killed.
The 2022 arrest warrant states Young's mother, Olivia Young, was the one to find her unresponsive and bloody inside her Mission Pointe apartment on July 23. Young's two children, ages 1 and 3, were also inside the home.
Olivia told police the relationship between Tasheka and Armstrong is violent and that Tasheka told her that Armstrong held a gun to her head about two weeks prior.
While officers were on the scene investigating Tasheka's death, Armstrong returned to the apartment and was detained by police. He was interviewed at the Police Memorial Building and provided consent to download his cell phone, according to the arrest report.
As a result of the download, detectives say they discovered numerous texts and photos that show the volatile history of the relationship including photos of a gun and a knife.
During the interview with detectives, Armstrong reportedly stated he had not been to the victim’s apartment since Friday, July 13. Armstrong reportedly said that he was given a ride to the apartment by his stepfather, and that he was staying with his mom and step-father at their home in Middleburg.
Armstrong was asked by police if he had a key to the victim’s apartment and he reportedly replied that he did and that it was located in a bag in a bedroom he is staying in at his parents’ house.
Upon execution of the search warrant at his parent's house, police say several pieces of evidence were discovered.
Behind the stairs, the detectives say they observed what appeared to be clothing items. Police say they looked inside the hole and observed what appeared to be the bottom end or magazine of a black handgun. The evidence technician photographed and removed the clothing from under the stairs. Police say the clothing appeared to have blood on it.
Police say the evidence technician also removed a Glock 43x9 mm from the hole at the base of the stairs.
Due to the discovery of the weapon and bloody clothing found, Armstrong was returned to the station to continue questioning. While in an interrogation room, video surveillance appears to show Armstrong trying to escape by setting a chair on top of a table and climbing up.
Armstrong was later charged with second-degree murder and then charged with another count of second-degree murder on August 10, 2022. Armstrong pleaded not guilty to both counts.