Teen Charged in Northern High Student's Death

Durham, N.C. — A teen arrested late Sunday in the shooting death of a Northern High School student had assaulted her three months ago.

Cory Jiggets, 19, of Fidelity Drive, was charged with murder in the death of Skye Moniqua Lee, of 3628 Keystone Place, Apt. 8-B. He was being held Monday without bond in the Durham County Jail.

Officers responded to calls about a shooting at the Oxford Manor Apartments, located off Old Oxford Road, at about 10:45 p.m.

Lee was pronounced dead inside her apartment. Her 10-month-old boy was inside the apartment unharmed, police said.

Witnesses told police that Jiggets fled in a blue Chevrolet Caprice with chrome rims. About an hour later, officers spotted the car in the 100 block of Young Street, and they arrested Jiggets as he tried to run out the back door of a house, police said.

Investigators said they believe that the motive for the slaying was domestic. Jiggets was the father of Lee's baby, and he had been ordered to stay away from the teen following a December assault, police said.

The infant was staying with Lee's family Monday evening, police said.

Lee was a student at Northern High in Durham.

"She was nice, sweet, smart, intelligent. She put her all into everything she was," neighbor Brittney Taborn said.

Neighbor Ashley Taborn described Lee as a quiet person who stuck to herself.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless loss," Northern High Principal John Colclough said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathies are with the family and loved ones of Skye Lee.”

Northern High is on spring break this week, and Durham Public Schools officials said they would have counselors on hand when students return to class April 8.

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My ONLY statement concerning this "endless" matter of crime is: Durham re-elected a Mayor who's interpretation of crime was "if you are not involved in crime--you have nothing to worry about". Along with a Judge, Orlando Hudson who never met a criminal he could not justify releasing or lowering his/her bail. Just as our country continues to suffer with no end in sight behind electing an incompetent self-serving president; so to does the citizens of Durham continue to suffer because it has NO LEADERSHIP! Pray that there is no "technicality" or "legal excuse" to allow this guy to ever see daylight (on the outside of a prison) again. But if there is a way to "reduce his time"; or "give him a lighter sentence"; or "not convict him at all"; rest assure, the judicial system in Durham will find it. May God have mercy on the family of the victim (and us).

humbleblaklady
March 31, 2008 7:37 p.m.

There is a problem with crimes all over the nation and even though it seems to be more noticeable in the black communities, crime is committed by all races of people, all races of people have children out of wedlock, this is just not things that black people do. And just because someone is born out of wedlock, does not necessarily mean that they are going to grow up to be a criminal. I think when people make those broad assumptions about "anybody" it can cause people to get upset.

bronzegoddess40
March 31, 2008 6:58 p.m.

This has nothing to do with race, Durham, or public housing.

It has everything to do with domestic violence.

Fresh out of college, my wife worked as a counselor in a domestic violence shelter in another state. Folks, domestic violence cuts across class and status. True, the persons in a community who tend to take advantage of shelters are those who don't have the financial or family resources to do otherwise, which is correlated with poverty.

But this happens every day to Americans, largely women, of all races and backgrounds.

It's easy to say "why didn't she leave?" or "why did she take the abuse?" if you've never seen these situations up close and personal. But it's not that easy. Cycles of abuse are long-running, and begin with an emotional attachment followed by methods of control and denigration.

My sympathies to this mother, her family -- and a child who'll never know her mother.

But please, let go the race-bashing and place obsession for just one day.

Durham-Raleigh
March 31, 2008 5:53 p.m.

cool_rocker - "What this nation needs to do is quit being so PC "

I couldn't agree with you more. PC is killing this country. To be quite honest, PC offends me. In my opinion, this makes it politically incorrect.

slick rick da troll whisperer
March 31, 2008 5:50 p.m.

What this nation needs to do is quit being so PC and apply the death penalty in these situations to anyone who is 15 and above. Don't let them sit on death row for 10 years, execute them within a year. I believe this will send a message to these animals who take advantage of our freedom. Support the death penalty!!!!