High-priced sneakers such as the coveted “Jordans” have been known to incite mayhem and murder for years. This tragic fact struck close to home.
Three men have been found guilty of breaking into a suburban Atlanta teenager’s home, tying him up, shooting then killing him over his high-priced athletic shoe collection.
The three men — 15-year-old classmate Larnell Sillah, his uncle Andrew Murray, 28, and 29-year-old Tauvaughn Saylor — were sentenced to life in prison without parole, while still professing their innocence.
Paul Sampleton Jr. was a 14-year-old student at Grayson High School when he was ambushed and bound and gagged during a December 2012 burglary and robbery at his mother’s townhome.
According to reports, The freshman had been home only a matter of minutes after early release for the holidays before he was bound, shot and left to die in the kitchen of his townhome. The three reportedly took the family’s electronics and eight pairs of shoes, according to police.
Police said Murray pulled the trigger that caused the fatal wounds, police reported according to WSB-TV.
A jury convicted all three Tuesday of 19 of 20 counts, including malice murder, four counts of felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracies, gang activity and a violation of the racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations act (RICO).
The three suspects each received two life sentences, plus 120 years in prison.
