WILSON, N.C. -- Charges against two Wilson teenagers accused in the death of a 17-year-old were filed Friday, the same day a funeral was held for the young woman.

James Arthur Johnson, 18, and Kenneth Maurice Meeks, 16, were each charged with murder in the death of Brittany Tyler Willis, whose body was found Tuesday afternoon in a construction field. They also are charged with first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon and first-degree rape.

Julian Deans, 19, was charged with accessory after the fact. Investigators said Dean tried to provide an alibi for one of the two accused in the murder and possibly helped dispose of the murder weapon.

Investigators charge that Johnson and Meeks abducted Willis from the parking lot a shopping center Monday afternoon and took her to a construction field, where she was raped and shot.

Investigators have not recovered the murder weapon, believed to be a handgun.

A funeral was held Friday at First United Methodist Church for Willis, who planned to attend Peace College in the fall. She graduated in May from Hunt High School, where she was an honor roll student and also played on the varsity soccer and volleyball teams.

"She was just a great all-around young woman," said Mike Petty, who was Willis' soccer coach for four years.

Hardworking and fun to be around, Willis was the type of student who reminded Petty of the reasons he coaches soccer. "She's the kind of kid you say, 'God, I wish I had 15 just like her,'" he said. "She was a person that just made people happy being around her. She found the bright side of any situation. ... "It's an absolute tragedy."

Police said robbery appears to have been the kidnappers' original motive.

Investigators said Willis was at Brentwood Shopping Center -- where she was returning graduation presents -- between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday. She was raped and killed before 6 p.m., Wilson police Sgt. D.H. Garris said Friday.

The 2000 Lexus sports utility vehicle that Willis was driving was found Tuesday morning. Investigators said there were signs of a struggle where Willis was found, but no signs of a struggle in the SUV.

Investigators said leads began to point toward Johnson and Meeks Thursday afternoon when Dean came to the police station with information. A $20,000 reward was announced Thursday for information in the investigation.

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