Police could make arrest in Young murder

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Three years ago Tuesday, a pregnant Wake County mother was brutally beaten to death in her Raleigh home.

Michelle Young's husband, Jason, has been the main focus of the investigation, but he's never been arrested. No suspects have been named in the case.

Detectives will only reveal a few things -- Young's murder was not random, and her killer is not a danger to the community.

But whoever went into the pregnant woman's house on November 3, 2006 and beat her while her young daughter was home, cannot hide behind time because there is no limitation on filing a murder charge.

That may be why prosecutors and investigators haven't rushed the case to trial. They're not certain they can get a conviction and don't want a suspect acquitted and set free for life.

"We realize it's been three years and we've been working hard, but we try not to impose artificial deadlines on ourselves," Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby said.

Willoughby said his office has been working closely with investigators from the sheriff's office. The sheriff confirms that, and like Willoughby, hasn't forgotten it's been three years.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said he keeps a picture of Michelle Young on his desk.

"Because it's a reminder; we've still got a lot work to do," Harrison said. "And it's a reminder that we're going to continue 'til we can find somebody and put in jail for this."

Court documents and civil proceedings point to Young's husband. That led to him losing custody of his daughter to Michelle's family.

"I'm not going to say it doesn't, but, you know, we haven't named him as a suspect," Harrison said.

And Jason Young hasn't cooperated with investigators. When Eyewitness News asked the Sheriff if he has given up on talking to him, he said yes.

"Basically, yes, I have," Harrison said. "But, you know, at some point in time we'll try it again I'm sure."

The Sheriff expects an arrest soon, saying there's not much more they can do except check their "Ps and Qs." "We've got one shot and we want to make sure when we go in with that shot, we're ready," Harrison said.

The Sheriff wouldn't say how soon is soon, but that it certainly wouldn't be another three years.

Eyewitness News spoke with Jason Young's attorney Tuesday afternoon, but he had no comment.

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