Suffolk, Va. -One of three suspects accused of murdering and robbing an 82-year-old Suffolk man in September has been sentenced.
Naomi Lambert was sentenced to 22 years in prison for 2nd degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Lambert pleaded guilty to the crime in December 2014.
Katron Walker, 31, Leon Hayes, 33, and Naomi Lambert, 22, are each facing charges of 1st Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and Attempted Armed Robbery.
Business owner Donald Carter, 82, was found unresponsive outside his furniture shop on E. Washington Street on September 22nd. He had been shot in the lower torso and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Last year, the three suspects stood in the courtroom in shackles as a 4th person who was there the night of the murder told the judge what she says happened.
She says Carter picked her, another friend, and Naomi up at a gas station, offering them liquor. The four went to Taco Bell and that’s what she says Naomi said “Ooh, this is a lick,” meaning Carter was about to be robbed.
The witness says Carter dropped her friend off and she, Naomi and Carter went back to his store.
She told the judge they were there for about 20 minutes, during which time Naomi made a phone call and then returned to tell her Leon was outside.
The witness told the judge as she walked out the door that she took off running and that’s when she says Leon and Katron came out of the bushes, ran towards Carter and demanded money from him. She says she kept running and that’s when she heard two gunshots.
The judge says the witness’ statement is what he needed to certify the charges to the grand jury.
But outside court, Leon Hayes’ father says her statement wasn’t credible.
“She doesn’t know what she’s saying out of her mouth. She’s saying this, she’s saying that. It don’t even make no sense,” he says. “My son is not a murderer and I will stand by it because I raised him that way.”
The two other suspects involved have court dates later in the year.
Related:
Parents of man charged in Suffolk businessman’s death say their son is no killer
Third person arrested in murder of 82-year-old man in Suffolk
Two charged with killing Suffolk business man previously convicted
UPDATE: Two charged with murder, armed robbery after 82-year-old man is shot to death in Suffolk
