DNA science is behind today’s arrest of three ex-convicts for the July 2017 murder of Nashvillian Marall Edwards, 39, at his apartment in the Acklen Park complex on Acklen Park Drive.
Indicted on multiple criminal counts, including first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary are:
- Kurtis Word, 44, a convicted robber;
- Kevin Hoggett, 41, a convicted cocaine felon; and
- Larry Beddingfield, 45, a convicted cocaine felon.
Midtown Hills Precinct officers responded to Edwards’ apartment on a shooting call at 11:30 p.m. on July 15, 2017. Edwards was found just inside the doorway with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
Items collected during processing of the scene were sent to the MNPD Crime Laboratory. Scientific advancements in DNA analysis and comparison gave detectives vital information to move toward an indictment and arrests.
This investigation was led by Cold Case Detective Curtis Hafley, who was assisted by Midtown Hills Detective Anthony Chandler.
The three defendants are jailed in lieu of $500,000 bond each.
