BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Prosecutors in Alabama are pursuing the death penalty for eight individuals accused in connection with the kidnapping, assault, and murder of a 20-year-old woman.

On Friday, deputy district attorney Charissa Henrich officially notified the court of her intent to seek capital punishment if any of the defendants are found guilty of capital murder. She described the case as being “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel” when compared to similar capital crimes.

Mahogany Jackson had sent a distressing text message to her family early on February 25, revealing her location and informing them that she had been abducted, according to former police chief Scott Thurmond. The location indicated that she was at the home of someone she was familiar with. Tragically, the following day, police discovered her body on a street in southwest Birmingham, revealing that she had succumbed to a gunshot wound.

Birmingham homicide detective Mark Green presented evidence indicating that videos taken by the suspects alongside footage provided by an unnamed witness corroborated the claims that Jackson had been both physically and sexually assaulted before being transported to a location where she was fatally shot and abandoned. “This is undoubtedly one of the most heinous acts I’ve seen in my career. It’s absolutely disgusting,” Thurmond commented at the time.

An attorney representing at least one of the defendants has submitted a motion to prevent the death penalty from being imposed unless the jury reaches a unanimous verdict.

All eight individuals are currently being held without bail and are scheduled to face arraignment on capital murder charges on Monday. At least one defendant has entered a not guilty plea, as confirmed by his lawyer, Glennon Threatt. Other legal representatives for the remaining suspects have not provided any comments regarding the case.

Initially, five of the suspects were charged with felony murder; however, these charges were elevated to capital murder by a grand jury in September.