In the late hours of November 17, 2016, the life of 27-year-old Malcolm Whitted, a Black male from Detroit, Michigan, was cut short in a violent encounter within a Fairmont, West Virginia apartment. Responding to reports of a shooting on Watson Avenue, police officers discovered Whitted on the apartment floor, having succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. Despite their efforts, he could not be revived.
The subsequent investigation determined that his death was a homicide, with an autopsy revealing he had been shot three times once in the face, once in the chest, and once in the left leg. Two of these wounds were determined to be fatal.
The investigation into Whitted's death quickly pointed to a home invasion with a drug-related motive. Within weeks, a series of arrests were made, bringing a total of five individuals into custody in connection with the murder. The first to be apprehended was 25-year-old Devon Stephens of Fairmont, who was charged with first-degree murder on November 29. Investigators alleged that Stephens was one of five people involved in the fatal shooting, with three individuals forcing their way into the residence while two others waited outside.
Following Stephens' arrest, four more suspects were apprehended. Timothy Lambert, 31, and his wife Cassie Lambert were arrested in a Fairmont hotel; both were charged with first-degree murder, with Cassie Lambert facing an additional charge of obstructing an officer. Michelle Kaye Belton, 37, of Elkins, was also charged with first-degree murder, while Vanny Jermaine Clay, 26, was charged with first-degree robbery. In the course of the legal proceedings, Timothy Lambert admitted to his role in the events that led to Whitted's death and pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, conspiracy, and delivery of a controlled substance.
