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Lottery Store Murder: Suspect Shot, But ‘Saved’ By Cross; No Charges Against Female
December 5, 2012
One of the two suspects accused in the robbery and murder of a Davisville lottery store owner was shot but “saved” by a cross, and no charges have been filed against a female that was outside the store during the crime.
Malcolm McGhee Jr., 24, and Brent Lambeth, 20, are charged with first degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
Now, NorthEscambia.com has learned more about the events that unfolded inside the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97.
When Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the lottery store on the afternoon of November 6, they found store owner Thomas Gerald Kroll had been shot and killed. Witnesses at the store told deputies that two suspects wearing ski masks had entered the store, armed with a handgun. Witnesses said they asked “Where’s the man with the money?” before firing two shots and killing Kroll.
Kroll fired at least one shot at the suspects. Authorities have not revealed if Kroll or one of the suspects fired first. One shot struck McGhee.
“He was wearing a large cross pendant around his neck,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Tuesday. “He may have been saved because it (the bullet) struck the cross and did not injure him.” McGhee’s wound was non-penetrating.
The two suspects had fled the scene of the crime before the first law enforcement officers arrived on the scene.
According to official documents, Kristen McGhee told investigators on the day of the murder that she was with Malcolm McGhee and Lambeth when they drove to the O ‘Yes Lotto store for the purpose of purchasing Spice. Lamberth, who was driving, backed their vehicle into a parking space in front of the business. Malcolm McGhree and Lambeth got out of the vehicle, leaving the car doors open and leaving Kristen McGhee inside the vehicle.
Kristen McGhee told investigators that moments later she head four gunshots. Lambeth then ran back to the car,wearing a ski mask over his face, and told Kristen McGhee that Malcolm McGhee had been shot.
Macolm McGhee then got back in the car, official reports state, with a ski mask over his face. He was also armed with a handgun. Malcolm McGhee then “told her he had been shot and he shot the guy that runs the store”, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Kristen McGhree told deputies that both men stated they took Spice from the store during the robbery.
As of Tuesday, McGhee had not been charged with any crime in connection with the incident, Marcille said.
According to official reports, another female, Mallory Young, told investigators that she was with Malcolm McGhee on the date of the robbery when “he asked if she could keep a secret”. He then told her that he had been shot earlier in the day, and he shot the guy that operates the lottery business.
Both men have entered not guilty pleas. Both are set for a jury trial to begin in early February. In the meantime, both will remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
21 Responses to “Lottery Store Murder: Suspect Shot, But ‘Saved’ By Cross; No Charges Against Female”
When she got away from the store and away from these murderers, did she call police to report what she had heard (shots) and seen (ski masks)? If not, and she waited for police to come to her, ACCOMPLICE!!! This SPICE that they were after is incense that you can buy from Walmart to make your house smell better. My sons’ friend has been in the hospital because of this stupid thing someone said gave them a high and won’t show up in a drug test.
I’m still sending prayers to Mr. Kroll’s family. I hope this horrible ordeal isn’t dragged out FOREVER due to the not guilty plea!
Charg’em all, then hang’em all…… the end.
Look.. Just because she was there with them doesn’t mean she sould be charged.. She had nuthing to do with the shooting. She was just there with them.Atleast she did come out and tell the police what they told her.. In my opinion she shouldn’t be charged.
It is possible she was not involved? get real, she heard the shots they got in the vehicle and they drove away from the murder scene…regardless of the charges or no charges against her , those two sorry excuses for human beings need to be in a prison cell for the rest of their lives at a minimum…as far as the cross saving him…that hasn’t happened yet…
REGARDING:
“She should be charged for being at the scene. ”
Being at a scene is not illegal.
The man who was murdered was at the scene.
The witnesses were at the scene.
If they don’t think she knowingly had anything to do with the robbery and murder beforehand, it would be an injustice to charge her with anything.
David for justice
I think its sad that people are saying that, she should be charged with murder & they don’t know all the facts of this story, What type of justice would that be ??? These boys however do deserve to be punished for this awful crime. It does matter what type of product he sold in the store, it was worth him being killed for!
Spice is a designer drug disguised with the words “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION” on the package which allows businesses to sell this product to young people. I didn’t know Mr. Kroll, but a smart business man would know what this popular product was being purchased for and in my opinion puts it right next to being a drug dealer. This does not at all justify the result of a murder, but dealing with these products will attract the type of customer base that comes with risks & consequences.
It’s quite possible the girl did not know what was about to happen. This just goes to prove how important it is to chose your friends carefully. Even if she knew nothing, she is now involved in a real mess.
@Catherin I would imagine the reason that these young men’s lawyers plead them not guilty, is because the state said no to a plead out for life without parole. Someone probably has plans for these gentlemen. Maybe not.
I hope that is the case and not just some public defenders with delusions of grandeur. And as far as hearsay, if the evidence is so very shaky, why were they denied bail?
If they wanted something to smoke, I just wish that they had simply planted it down in Sandy Hollow instead of this nightmare. It did not have to be this way.
She should be charged for being at the scene. A recent story line was the person in the car was tried and convicted for the burglary of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. She knew!!!! And they’re GUILTY!!! Everyone of them. God have mercy on their souls.
I am not an attorney, but Ms. McGhee and Ms. Young’s words would be hearsay correct? The only three people that knew what happened were in the store at the time of the events. No other true witnesses to the fatal shot. One is now dead and two are left to tell the story. With 4 shots fired, there is the possibility that each person had at least one shot. So really the only two people left to talk are the two friends that are now being tried for murder. Only time and their voices can tell the truth. Keep it plain and simple.
IT DOSE NOT MATER WHO WAS DRIVING THEY WHERE ALL IN THE CAR & AT THE SEEN. SO THEY ALL SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE MUDERD OF MR KROLL. HIS FAMILY LOST HIM BECAUSE OF THER SORRYNESS. SHE HAD JUST AS MUCH TO DO WITH IT AS THEY DID JUST BY BEING IN THE CAR WITH THEM. & THE JUDGE SHOULD GO ON A GIVE THEM THE DEATH PENTLY INSTEAD OF HAVING THE TAX PAYERS HAVING TO PAY FOR THERE UP KEEP & COURT!!!! THEY SHOULD NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO LEIVE THE COURT HOUSE JUST PUT THEM DOWN THERE SO THERE IS NOPROBLE IN FINDING A SPACE IN THE PRISION FOR THEM. THAT HOW I FILL ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY DON’T NEED A CHANCE TO GET OUT AND RUN THEY DID NOT THANK ABOUT GIVING MR. KROOL A CHANCE TO LIVE & BE WITH HIS FAMILY IN HIS RETAIRING YEARS.
sounds like the girl cut herself a deal so she would not be charged. That is soooo wrong!
I AM SORRY BUT THE GIRL IN THE GET AWAY CAR , SHOULD BE CHARGED . WHAT ABOUT JUSTICE FOR MR KROLL . SHE NEW WHAT WAS GOING ON , COME ON PEOPLE .
@ Abe:
True
@ queen b:
The story says that Lambeth was the driver, not Kristen.
Really, so if you sit in the car while a crime is being committed you are not charged?? Are you serious? You cannot tell me that she was not aware that her friends were not going to that store to rob it. She may not have counted on them shooting the owner but she knew they were going up there will bad intentions.
She should be charged as well. But I love how McGhee tells Mallory his “secret” but then wants to plead not guilty. What a waste of time and money. I hope other prisoners take care of them both and saves my tax dollars. And when Kristen is finally charged, I hope a good dose of her cell mate helps her figure out how to make better friends!!
If she was in the car as the driver shouldn’t she be charged with a crime, because she was involved in their get away!!! She had to know they were there to rob the store at the least. Since it was also a murder by law she should be charged also.
If he had been saved by the cross none of this would have ever happened.
That cross saved his life…but God always does the right thing!
Now Mr McGhee just repeat to the jury that which you conveyed to Ms Young and we can get this thing over with. I wonder where these notions of not guilty came from?