A teenager’s family in Detroit is calling for justice following a judge’s decision that a mother and son will stand trial for murder. On April 26, 2023, Judge Sabrina Johnson determined that Jalen Pendergrass, 23, and his mother Charla Pendergrass, 49, would face serious charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, unlawful imprisonment, and tampering with evidence. This ruling has intensified emotions among the family of the victim, London Thomas, who went missing on April 5, 2023.
During a preliminary hearing in Wayne County, Judge Johnson ruled that both defendants were bound over for trial. Jalen Pendergrass has been in custody since October 2022, while his mother was released on a cash bond of $5 million (£3.65 million). Prosecutors allege that London Thomas, who was reportedly Jalen’s girlfriend, was last seen being dropped off at his home in Inkster around 04:00 on the morning she went missing.
The investigation into Thomas’s disappearance involved multiple agencies, including the Inkster Police Department, Detroit Police, the FBI, and Michigan State Police. Tragically, her body was discovered on April 26 inside an SUV in Southfield, parked there for approximately two weeks.
Key evidence was provided to investigators by a male acquaintance of Charla Pendergrass. According to court documents, he stated that Charla had asked him to transport a sealed plastic bin linked to the SUV where Thomas’s remains were later found. Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dominic Degrazia emphasized that evidence will demonstrate an extensive effort to conceal the crime, highlighting attempts to mislead law enforcement.
The judge’s ruling has resonated deeply with Thomas’s family. Her father, Cedric Salisbury, expressed a sense of relief that the case is progressing, stating, “We believed for months that something had happened to my daughter.” He welcomed the opportunity for the truth to be revealed in court. Thomas’s grandmother, Jestina Martin, voiced her anguish, declaring, “I want them to get the maximum penalty they can get for my granddaughter.”
Both Jalen and Charla Pendergrass are expected to plead not guilty. Their attorneys maintain their innocence, with Jalen’s lawyer, Adam Clements, urging the public to reserve judgment until all evidence is presented at trial. Charla’s attorney, Terry L. Johnson, noted that the case had previously been dismissed in other courts and expressed confidence in a favorable verdict from a jury.
With the preliminary hearing concluded, the case is poised to move to trial in Wayne County. If convicted, the charges against both defendants carry the possibility of life sentences, which Thomas’s family believes would provide a measure of justice for their lost loved one. The emotional toll of this tragic case continues to impact the community, underlining the profound loss felt by those who knew and loved London Thomas.
