CORRECTION: We want to be clear that Romaine Stewart and Achiel Morgan are not charged with murder in this case. A video posted earlier implied that all three suspects arrested by police were charged with murder. We regret the error.
Gwinnett County police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of a 14-year-old Grayson High School student. Paul Sampleton was shot and killed inside his home on Haynescrest Court on Dec. 19. His father discovered the body, which had been bound and gagged. Police believe that Sampleton was murdered over high-end sneakers.
"The suspects in this case were classmates of Paul Sampleton Jr. and they were aware that he participated in what they all called the sneaker game. He bought and sold and traded these high-end, very nice sneakers. And he was known to dress well and known to have some nice electronics in his home. We believe that he was targeted for those reasons," said Cpl. Jake Smith of the Gwinnett County Police Department.
Larnell Sillah, 15, is charged with homicide. Romaine Stewart, 18, and Achiel Morgan, 15, are charged with armed robbery, police said. Both of the 15-year-olds will be charged as adults, authorities said.
Jail records show that Stewart is charged with theft by taking. A family said that is for a separate case.
Police say they got a break in the case when they spotted a silver BMV around the murder scene and tracked it to a home about a half mile away.
Hazel Murray says police confiscated some high-end sneakers from the home, and left others behind. She claims Sillah, her grandson, is being pressured.
"Police want to frame him, want to say it's him because they want him to tell them who did it," said Murray.
Sampleton's mother, Stephanie Stone, said that she knew one of the suspects through a football team that he was involved in.
"I think it's sickening that these young men would take another young man's life over material things. I think it's sickening. I think it's pathetic," Stone said.
Stone acknowledged that her son did trade in high-end sneakers, saying his murder went way beyond that.
"I don't know what the result or the motive was other than my opinion is pure jealousy. Jealousy, envy, greed," said Stone.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:22:48 GMT
Defense attorneys want the governor's report on Atlanta Public Schools cheating thrown out. They say educators were threatened to cooperate with investigators or lose their jobs.
Defense attorneys want the governor's report on Atlanta Public Schools cheating thrown out. They say educators were threatened to cooperate with investigators or lose their jobs.
A former Atlanta police officer has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after prosecutors say he conspired to accept bribes and lied to FBI agents.
A former Atlanta police officer has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after prosecutors say he conspired to accept bribes and lied to FBI agents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:04:19 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency workers are on the scene of a trench collapse in Queens that trapped one person on Tuesday evening.
Emergency workers are on the scene of a trench collapse in Queens that trapped one person on Tuesday evening.The collapse happened at 119-02 83rd Avenue in Kew Gardens at about 4:50 p.m., the FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:18:24 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
Romaine Stewart is charged with armed robbery in connection with the murder of Paul Sampleton (photo provided by Gwinnett County Police Department)
Achiel Morgan
Larnell Sillah, 15, is charged with homicide in connection with the death of Paul Sampleton, Jr.
Romaine Stewart, Larnell Sillah and Achiel Morgan are charged in connection with the death of 14-year-old Paul Sampleton.
