http://www.wyff4.com/news/Gang-members-admit-killing-couple-to-prevent-them-from-testifying/41781336
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Jamell Lamon Cureton, 24, and Malcolm Jarrel Hartley, 23, pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder and other charges, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose.
Cureton and Hartley were members of the United Blood Nation gang, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Debbie London, 61, and Doug London, 63, were killed to prevent them from testifying against two other gang members who had robbed the Londons’ store in Pineville.
Documents say the gang members not only wanted to prevent the Londons from testifying, they wanted to retaliate against the couple for previous court appearances related to the robbery case.
Police said Doug London tried to defend the store and his life when he shot and hit one of the suspects, later identified as Cureton. Cureton went to a local hospital and was arrested on robbery charges.
Rose said he defendants began to correspond and conspire with one another to plan the murder of London, "the only eyewitness to the robbery."
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Deputies said the Londons were found shot to death in their Tioga Road home on Oct. 23, 2014. The couple's son, Daniel London, found his parents and called 911.
Twelve people accused of being gang members have been indicted. Seven have signed plea agreements and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Cureton and Hartley will be sentenced later.
