Suvechha Sarkar
Seath Tyler Jackson dreamt of becoming an Ultimate Fighting Champion and had a bright future ahead of him. However, everything changed when he was brutally killed by five people whom he already knew. The appalling crime left the community of Ocala, Florida, completely shaken, and his family grief-stricken. Among those people was Michael Shane Bargo Jr., AKA Mike, who turned out to be the ringleader of the murder plan. Investigation Discovery’s ‘Signs of a Psychopath: Everybody Was Agreeing to It’ dives deep into the chilling incident and the confession tapes that brought the killers to justice. It also features interviews with experts unraveling the psychology behind the crime.
Mike Bargo’s Plan For Seath’s Murder Stemmed From a Teen Romance
Seath Tyler Jackson, who was just 15 years old at the time, was officially reported missing by his parents, Scott and Sonia Jackson, on April 18, 2011. After looking at the missing person’s report, Kyle Hooper admitted to his mother that he had witnessed Seath’s murder. She then took him to the officials the following day, where he first claimed that he had witnessed 18-year-old Michael Shane Bargo Jr., AKA Mike, shoot Seath multiple times before disposing of his remains. However, further questioning revealed that Seath was dating Kyle’s sister, Amber Wright. They had broken up, and the latter began dating Mike. Amber had alleged before her friends that Seath had abused her.
Kyle confessed that Mike was at a party at Charlie Ely’s house with him, Amber, Justin Soto, AKA Roach, and Charlie herself when Mike came up with the plan to murder Seath. He further added that his sister was the one who lured Seath into Charlie’s home by texting him, stating that she wanted to mend their relationship. When he reached the house, Kyle and Justin attacked him with a stick before Mike brutally shot him in the back of his head. When Charlie, Amber, and Justin were also brought in for questioning, they further confessed to the crime and confirmed Kyle’s statements.
Kyle, Charlie, Amber, and Justin admitted that Seath’s remains were dismembered and then burned in a quarry. Officials discovered his burnt remains inside paint cans on April 21, 2011. Ultimately, all four of them were arrested and charged with first‑degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Mike was hiding at a friend’s house when he was arrested and taken into custody. However, he refused to cooperate with the investigation and provided no statement. He was charged with first‑degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and accessory after the fact.
While Mike is on Death Row Today, Kyle, Amber, and Justin Are Serving Their Life Sentences
Charlie’s trial for the murder of Seath began in September 2011. She was convicted of first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole on October 17, 2011. However, after an appeal and ruling of ineffective counsel, she was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder in June 2020. It resulted in a reduced 10-year sentence with credit for her time served, which led to her immediate release after serving nine years in prison. Justin Soto entered a guilty plea of first-degree murder to avoid a death sentence on May 30, 2012, and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Amber and Kyle’s joint trial began with separate juries on June 6, 2012. They were convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole on August 22, 2012.
Amber’s initial conviction was overturned due to Miranda rights issues. It led to another jury trial, which convicted her of first-degree murder in January 2016. She received a life sentence without the possibility of parole on February 23, 2016. Mike’s trial for the murder of Seath commenced in August 2013. The prosecutor reportedly presented a strong case against him by presenting evidence, confessions, and testimonies. On August 19, Mike took the stand and claimed he was not at the scene when the crime occurred. After deliberation, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on August 20, 2013. During sentencing, his mother testified about his troubled upbringing and childhood. The defense reportedly presented expert testimony regarding his emotional instability and seizures. Ultimately, a 10–2 jury vote resulted in his death penalty on December 13, 2013.
At just 21 years old, Mike became the youngest inmate to be on Florida’s death row. Following that, he appealed his death sentence because the 10-2 jury vote did not amount to unanimity. The Florida Supreme Court eventually affirmed his conviction but vacated the death sentence judgment. Hence, a new penalty hearing began in April 2019. However, it resulted in 12 jurors reaching unanimity in favor of death, leading to a death sentence on April 9, 2019. Even during his second appeal in 2021, the court upheld the sentencing. As of writing, Mike Bargo is on death row at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida. While Amber is serving her time at Homestead Correctional Institution FDC in Homestead, Florida, Kyle is incarcerated at Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami, Florida. Justin is serving his time at Taylor Annex in Perry, Florida. Following her release, Charlie has seemingly chosen to maintain a low profile.
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