CLEARWATER, Fla., (WFLA) — Two people charged with the gruesome murder of a teenager will be formally charged Thursday morning.

Steven Gress, 37, and Michelle Vega, 35, will be formally charged with first-degree murder and are accused of kidnapping, torturing, and killing 16-year-old Miranda Corsette of Gulfport.

Neither suspect is expected to be in the courtroom. They both submitted not guilty pleas.

Horrifying details have come to light about Corsette’s murder.

According to investigators, Gress met the teenager through a social media app in February.

Police said Corsette was abused for days over an argument over a piece of jewelry.

“So, from the 20th to the 24th, she was beaten and tortured because they could not find this piece of jewelry,” said Chief Anthony Holloway.

St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway said what happened next is hard to fathom.

“She was then killed, Mr. Gress placed her body in his car, along with his domestic partner Michelle Brandes and they drove her to Largo,” he said.

An affidavit shows five people potentially knew about the killing from either seeing the body or pictures of the abuse.

An attorney not involved with the case told 8 On Your Side the photos are potential evidence that could have a massive impact on the case.

“Whether you’re a prosecutor or a defense attorney, direct evidence is always best whether that is to further prove the crime or disprove the crime. So, any type of photographic evidence whether it is contained on a phone or surveillance, is extremely critical to a case of this nature,” said Shanna Bailey, a Criminal Defense Attorney.

The hearing began at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at the courthouse in Clearwater.