Two suspects have been arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder after a truly horrific scene was discovered the day after Christmas in Troy, New York — a lesbian couple and two of their young children were found tied up in their basement, throats slashed. The unthinkable tragedy took place five days prior, on December 21.
Both men have entered not guilty pleas.
The victims were 36-year-old Shanta Myers, her 22-year-old partner Brandi Mells, Myers’ 11-year-old son Jeremiah and five-year-old daughter Shanise (pictured above). All four had their ankles and wrists bound and were only discovered when the home’s property manager came around to check on the family.
Troy Police Chief John Tedesco said: “After being in this business for 43 years, I can’t describe the savagery of a person who would do this. I don’t think there’s any doubt that a person who committed this crime is capable of anything.”
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At the time of the discovery, Tedesco also said he believed the killing was “not a random act,” but he did not elaborate.
Police analyzed security camera footage which helped identify two male suspects — 24-year-old Justin C. Mann and 38-year-old James W. White (pictured below). Mann and White were each charged with first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder.
White had reportedly been recently kicked out of a homeless shelter for fighting. He has also previously served a 10-year sentence for manslaughter.
“I don’t need to tell you how good it feels to have these two defendants in custody,” Tedesco said.
While details remain sparse, police have indicated that one of the men knew Myers or Mells. Two knives were found at the scene of the crime.
Myers’ had another son, 16-year-old Isaiah, who was not home when the murders took place.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Isaiah and has exceeded its goal of $40K with the help of friends and strangers.
ChrisK
Wow. Too bad NY doesn’t have execution as an option.
Raphael
It’s not going to be a problem, when other inmates find out what they did to those kids, they will take care of it…
Bob LaBlah
My sincerest hope is the confession was BEAT out of both of them. One looks like a young crazed lunatic and the other looks the type who preys on lunatics like the young one to make him feel as though he is in charge or has power over some one. What a loser.
Kangol
Horrific crime. They deserve to be convicted and then buried under the nearest prison.
chris33133
Regardless who the perps are, some crimes merit the death sentence; the execution-style killing of two small children is one of them.
Hussain-TheCanadian
This is horrible; how can anyone kill his fellow human beings so easily, so brutally, so savagely???
I’m extremely sensitive when it comes to capital punishment, but crimes like this wants me to bring back crucifixion.
Xzamilloh
I’m going to be honest: The ONLY reason I’m against the death penalty is because of how many people have been exonerated by DNA and how many innocent people have likely been executed.
But, I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep seeing these two get the needle or if they were killed in prison.
jhon_siders
Is it a surprise ? one of the most homophobic groups Hey BLM have a opinion —-Crickets .
Juanjo
In every group, there is a complete douche bag and here, that would be you.
Jaxton
Black-on-black violence is a horrible things.