In a quiet Littleton neighborhood, the discovery of a man's body inside his own vehicle would unravel a story of a deadly trap set under the guise of a drug transaction. On May 1, 2017, residents on West Maplewood Drive grew concerned about a white Ford Explorer that had been parked on their street for hours. A closer look revealed the unresponsive figure of a man inside, prompting a call to 911. The deceased was identified as 26-year-old Samuel Addison Stewart, known to his loved ones as Addison. He was a male who had been shot to death.
The investigation into Samuel's death quickly determined that it was not a random act of violence. Detectives learned that earlier on the day he was found, Stewart had been lured to a home about half a mile away with the promise of purchasing illegal prescription drugs. Unbeknownst to him, the meeting was a setup to settle debts. Waiting for him in the garage of the residence were Jordan Lemarinel and Kenneth Crise. Shortly after Stewart entered the garage, the door closed behind him. Minutes later, it reopened, and his body was dragged out and placed into his own vehicle. Lemarinel then drove the Explorer to the nearby street where it was later discovered.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office identified Jodan Lamarinel, 27, and Kenneth Crise, 55, as the primary suspects in the murder. Lamarinel was arrested on May 5, 2017, on a first-degree murder charge. Crise remained at large for a short period before being apprehended. Both men faced a trial where the grim details of the planned confrontation came to light.
Ultimately, juries convicted both Lemarinel and Crise on multiple counts, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and tampering with a deceased body. In March 2018, Kenneth Crise, who had nine prior felony convictions, was sentenced to life in prison plus 48 years as a habitual criminal. The following month, Jordan Lemarinel received a sentence of life in prison plus 12 years for his role in the death of Samuel Stewart.
