Texas Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Triple Homicide
A North Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2020 triple homicide that spanned Tarrant and Palo Pinto counties.
Lamont Cousins, 48, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced by a Tarrant County jury to life without parole for the Dec. 14, 2020, slayings of 46-year-old Veronica Del Jones, 65-year-old Virginia Lewis and 55-year-old Clayton Turrentine.
The Motive Behind the Killings
According to a Thursday news release from the Tarrant County district attorney’s office, the shootings were over a car deal.
Turrentine had purchased a red Dodge from Cousins and put it on his lot at Bill’s Auto Sales off Benbrook Highway in Fort Worth. Someone bought the car, only to learn there was a lien on the car and it was repossessed, so Turrentine returned the purchase price of the car to the buyer, which left him at a financial loss.
Altercation Over the Deal
Turrentine and Cousins had an altercation over the deal less than a week before the killings, according to an arrest-warrant affidavit.
Lewis was killed first on Dec. 14 and was found dead at the dealership by officers who had been called for a welfare check.
The Events Unfolded
Andrew Vandermeer, 36, who was also arrested on a capital murder charge in connection with the murders, testified that after Lewis had been shot, he helped Cousins by tying up Turrentine and Jones and driving them, per Cousins’ directions, to an abandoned bait shop in Palo Pinto County, the news release said.
There, Cousins took Turrentine and Jones into the building one by one and shot them in the back of the head.
Cousins and Vandermeer then left the bodies and returned to Fort Worth.
Prosecution’s Argument
Prosecutors told jurors that Cousins had a life rife with crime, threats and violence, and that he would not change in the future, the news release said.
“This case is about the execution of three people,” Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Lloyd Whelchel told the jury in court. “What he did was so terrible, and it caps a lifetime of behavior.”
Co-Defendant’s Plea Deal
The news release said Vandermeer plans to accept an offer from the state of 45 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea.
The case has drawn attention to the severity of crimes committed over disputes and the importance of seeking justice for victims and their families.
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Conclusion
The sentencing of Lamont Cousins to life in prison brings closure to the families of the victims, but it also highlights the need for communities to come together to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of seeking help and resolving disputes peacefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the motive behind the triple homicide?
A: The motive behind the triple homicide was a dispute over a car deal between Lamont Cousins and Clayton Turrentine.
Q: How did the events unfold?
A: After an altercation over the car deal, Cousins and his co-defendant, Andrew Vandermeer, killed three people, including Turrentine, Veronica Del Jones, and Virginia Lewis, and left their bodies in an abandoned bait shop in Palo Pinto County.
Q: What was the sentence given to Lamont Cousins?
A: Lamont Cousins was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the triple homicide.
Q: What is the status of Andrew Vandermeer’s case?
A: Andrew Vandermeer plans to accept an offer from the state of 45 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea.
