Carlos Juan Harrison

An 18-year-old Chattanooga man now faces the grand jury on charges he beat a 15-year-old girl to death during sexual intercourse, then tried to cover up the act.

Carlos Juan Harrison's charges of criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and aggravated rape were passed to the Hamilton County grand jury today after a preliminary hearing before Sessions Court Judge Christie Mahn Sell.

Police say that Harrison raped and beat Central High School freshman Chelsea Smith on the night of May 13, according to an arrest report. Harrison later told police he had sex with the girl and when he awoke the next morning she was unresponsive and he didn't know why.

The report states that Harrison hid Smith in his home all day before propping her body up on his front porch.

A Hamilton County medical examiner's report showed Smith was beaten and her body had bruising and ligature marks around her neck.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.