Marine Corps News, news from Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Ex-pfc. gets life for killing 2 Marines

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A former Marine will serve two life sentences after pleading guilty Monday to killing two fellow leathernecks a year ago.

Jondre Lowemincey will serve two life sentences without parole for shooting to death Lance Cpls. Amanda Carrithers and Jordan Barrow, both 19. He pleaded guilty to two charges of first-degree murder in Onslow County Superior Court, reversing a not guilty plea earlier this year. The prosecution was originally seeking the death penalty.

Lowemincey, a private first class at the time of the shootings, confessed to entering the small house Carrithers and Barrow shared off base on the night of Aug. 15, 2006. He told investigators he shot Barrow three times when he answered the door, then headed for Carrithers’ room, according to court documents.

In a signed confession, Lowemincey said he kicked in Carrithers’ door and shot her. She was about six weeks pregnant at the time. Hours before the shooting, Lowemincey and Carrithers had had dinner at a local chain restaurant where Carrithers told Lowemincey the baby she was carrying was not his, according to court documents.

No motive was discussed in court. Prosecutor Ernie Lee called it a “senseless killing.”

Cases are pending against two other former Camp Lejeune-based Marines, Tharon Johnson, a private first class at the time of the shootings, and Julie Delice, then a corporal, allegedly involved in the double homicide. All of the Marines were assigned to 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s 2nd Supply Battalion.

Johnson is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. According to court documents, Johnson went to the house with Lowemincey but didn’t pull the trigger. He pleaded not guilty earlier this year. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty, Lee said.

Delice was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact of felony murder. Lowemincey told investigators that Johnson told him to get Delice’s gun and grab extra ammunition, according to court documents.

Wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, Lowemincey kept his head lowered as the victims’ family members talked about their lives after the murders.

“I had a heart attack after attending the funeral of Amanda,” said Darnell Parker, Barrow’s father. “I’m not able to sleep. I don’t sleep on the bed. I sleep by the front door.”

The retired Army first sergeant said he still wonders why his son was allowed to live off base since Barrow was a lance corporal. He said he believes his son would not have been killed if he had been living in the barracks.

Tracey Carrithers, Amanda’s mother, said she’s been seeing a psychiatrist twice a week since her daughter’s murder.

“I can’t get through the city of Chicago [where they were from] without the memories,” she said. “It’s been a year, and there’s still pain. She was my best friend.”