Stacey Schoeck

Case overview

Stacey Schoeck was convicted in connection with the murder-for-hire killing of her fifth husband, Richard Schoeck, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Stacey Schoeck was an Atlanta-area woman of Snellville who was described as a mother of three and an “adopted” mother to Richard Schoeck’s children. Richard Schoeck was a 46-year-old hot-air ballooning enthusiast and University facilities manager.

The offence

Richard Schoeck was shot to death at Belton Bridge Park in Hall County on Valentine’s Day. He had planned to meet Stacey Schoeck at the park to exchange Valentine’s Day cards.

Stacey Schoeck hired a hitman to kill Richard Schoeck. She lured Richard to the park by telling him she wanted to meet there to exchange Valentine's Day cards. A personal trainer who went by the name “Mr Results,” Reginald Coleman, waited at the park and shot Richard Schoeck dead in an isolated spot.

Phone records and other evidence were used to connect Stacey Schoeck with Reginald Coleman through a third suspect, Lynitra Ross, described as a go-between.

People involved

• Stacey Schoeck — wife of the victim; convicted for hiring a hitman to murder her husband; she later testified against her co-accused.
• Richard Schoeck — victim; 46 years old; University facilities manager; an avid outdoorsman, artist and hot-air balloon pilot; adopted his wife’s children; described as a Boy Scout leader, community-minded and compassionate.
• Reginald Coleman (also described as the triggerman and a personal trainer known as “Mr Results”) — pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole for his role in the killing; he also pleaded guilty to firearm counts and received additional sentences.
• Lynitra Ross — Stacey Schoeck’s work colleague at a DeKalb County spinal clinic; described as the go-between; Ross was sentenced to life without parole without the possibility of parole; Ross did not admit her role in the killing.
• Carol Fillingim — the victim’s sister; gave statements about the impact of Richard’s death.
• Lee Darragh — Hall County District Attorney.
• Judge Jason Deal — the sentencing judge.
• Max Hirsh — attorney for Stacey Schoeck.
• Kevin — one of the victim’s sons who Richard adopted; wrote a statement read in court.
• Keith — the 14-year-old son whom Stacey Schoeck alleged was molested by Richard; Stacey Schoeck testified that this belief led her to conspire to murder him.
• Rena Morgan — Stacey Schoeck’s mother.
• Lindsay Burton — chief assistant district attorney referenced during Stacey Schoeck’s courtroom testimony in Ross’ trial.
• Rodney Williams — attorney for Lynitra Ross referenced during cross-examination.
• Christian Lamar — Coleman’s attorney referenced in connection with Coleman’s plea.
• Geoffrey Smith — forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy.
• Cameron Durham — investigator who testified about tire tracks at the scene.
• Dan Franklin — Hall County investigator referenced in video questioning of Stacey Schoeck.
• Lt. Sean McCusker — referenced in connection with evidence from call records.

Investigation

Investigators subpoenaed records from calls placed in the vicinity of a cellphone tower near Ga. 365 on the night of Richard Schoeck’s murder. A number belonging to Reginald Coleman was identified as a contact in Stacey Schoeck’s phone.

The prosecution alleged that phone records and other records showed communication among the three suspects before, during, and after the crime, and that investigators believed Coleman was driving a vehicle associated with tire tracks at the scene.

The prosecution alleged the trio went on a “dry run” to scope out the scene ahead of the Valentine’s Day attack.

Investigators also alleged bank and phone records connected Stacey Schoeck and Lynitra Ross and showed transfers and checks around the time of the slaying.

Arrest and charges / procedural posture

Stacey Schoeck, Reginald Coleman, and Lynitra Ross were arrested May 25 in connection with the Valentine’s Day murder.

Arrest warrants said Coleman shot Richard Schoeck repeatedly. Stacey Schoeck reported at the time that she found her husband’s body at the park when she arrived for a pre-arranged meeting.

Stacey Schoeck admitted to having an affair on her fifth husband, Richard, but she was not as quick to admit that she had hired a hitman through a mutual friend.

Stacey Schoeck agreed to testify against both Ross and Coleman to spare her own life.

Trial and key court events

Ross trial testimony by Stacey Schoeck

In the trial of Lynitra Ross, Stacey Schoeck testified as a key witness. She spent about seven hours on the stand.

Stacey Schoeck testified that Lynitra Ross knew she was helping plan Richard Schoeck’s murder. She also testified that she would plead guilty to the charges.

Stacey Schoeck told the court she decided to kill Richard in December 2009 because she believed Richard was molesting her children. She testified that she drew the conclusion because her children were acting out, including that one had shoplifted, and she later learned Richard had done no such thing. She also testified that she believed that her husband was already dead.

Stacey Schoeck testified about her involvement in arranging the murder:

• She testified that before involving Ross, she tried to get another man she knew did “illegal things” to help her.
• When that man did not call her back, she confided in Ross at a Newnan Mexican restaurant in January 2010 about wanting to kill her husband.
• Stacey Schoeck testified that Ross responded: “well, I know somebody who could do that for you,” and that Ross shook her head “no” when Stacey made the statement in court.
• She testified that Ross told her Coleman “had a lot of experience.”
• Stacey Schoeck testified that Ross got in touch with Coleman, that Coleman asked to meet, and that she followed Ross to Coleman’s Austell home.
• She testified that after they arrived, Coleman dispatched Ross to a nearby Zaxby’s for food.
• She testified that she and Coleman did not discuss the murder plot until Ross returned and that Ross was present as Coleman and Stacey discussed a venue for the murder and his payment.
• She testified that that weekend the three met at a Buford Walmart, rode together in Coleman’s car to scout out Belton Bridge Park, and that she gave Coleman a 2009 Chevrolet Impala she had been trying to sell for her grandparents; she testified she never saw him again.
• She testified about giving Ross a house she owned on Devon Mill Road in exchange for Ross’s role; Ross had been living in the house for months paying for repairs instead of rent.

Stacey Schoeck also faced cross-examination about her credibility. Rodney Williams called into question her credibility and played nearly an hour of video of Hall County investigator Dan Franklin questioning her on the night of Richard Schoeck’s murder. During that cross-examination, she was shown making statements including:

• “I don’t know anything,” and “I’m trying to think of it. I don’t know,” before grabbing her hair.
• When asked if she knew someone was going to hurt Richard Schoeck, Stacey Schoeck first said “you mean, tonight?” and then added “No. I never, ever, ever dreamed of anything happening to him — ever.”
• When questioned about leaving children with Richard while believing Richard was molesting them, and when questioned about her actions with Richard on Valentine’s Day 2010 after planning to have him killed, Stacey Schoeck responded: “I said whatever I had to say to accomplish my goal of killing Richard that night.”
• Asked about whether she was doing the same in court to get a promise from prosecutors that they would not seek the death penalty, Stacey Schoeck answered: “I don’t consider life in prison a deal — a bargain.”

Stacey Schoeck testified that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty if she testified truthfully.

Forensic and records evidence presented

Geoffrey Smith, a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy, told the court that Richard Schoeck was shot five times. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting one bullet likely passed through Richard’s right hand before passing through his torso. The two shots to his face were said to likely come from close range and penetrate his brain and spinal cord.

Bank and phone records were used to show that Stacey Schoeck gave Lynitra Ross thousands of dollars around the time of Richard’s slaying. A fraud investigator for Suntrust bank, Chris Vreeland, testified about transfers and debits and described credits and checks written by Ross, including:

• On Jan. 21, 2010, $8,000 was transferred from an account owned by Stacey Schoeck and her grandmother to another account owned by Stacey Schoeck and Kaveh Khajavi.
• Two “miscellaneous debits” of $8,902 and $1,100 were shown on Jan. 26 and Feb. 12, 2010.
• Ross’ Suntrust account showed credits in the same amounts on those same days.
• Ross wrote checks for $4,900, $2,500, and $3,632.50 out to cash between Feb. 3 and Feb. 12, 2010.
• Ross wrote a $700 check to Coleman on Feb. 5.

The defense cross-examined, focusing on money moved in and out of Stacey Schoeck’s account during those periods, and asked Rodney Williams: “Mrs. Schoeck could have accessed $100,000?” Vreeland answered: “She could have, yes.”

Tire tracks testimony included Investigator Cameron Durham’s testimony that a vehicle not Stacey Schoeck’s came to the park before Richard Schoeck arrived, and that tire treads alleged to have belonged to a 2009 Impala associated with Stacey Schoeck passed over the treads of Richard’s Ford truck. Investigators believed Coleman was driving the vehicle on Feb. 14, 2010.

Alleged molestation claim raised in court

During Ross’ trial, Stacey Schoeck offered an explanation for why she wanted Richard dead, claiming she believed Richard was molesting one or both of her children. Lee Darragh said on a later occasion that Stacey had claimed and testified that she believed Richard was molesting one or both of her children and that “there was absolutely no truth to anything like that” later told her by one of the children.

Sentencing

Coleman sentencing

Reginald Coleman pleaded guilty to malice murder and was sentenced to life without parole for his role in the Feb. 14, 2010 murder of Richard Schoeck.

Coleman also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during the commission of crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to five years on the first count and five concurrent years on the second.

Ross sentencing

Lynitra Ross was sentenced to life without parole in August for acting as the “go-between” in the 2010 plot to kill Richard Schoeck. Ross never accepted responsibility for her role in the killing.

Stacey Schoeck sentencing (December 5, 2012)

Stacey Schoeck pleaded guilty to murder malice with forethought and was sentenced to life in prison without parole on December 5, 2012.

Lee Darragh said: “Judge (Jason) Deal appropriately recognized that Stacey Schoeck was the engine that put this train in motion, until the death of her husband. Without her involvement, this would not have occurred.”

Stacey Schoeck said through her attorney Max Hirsh that “she is relieved that justice has been done for Richard.”

At sentencing, Stacey Schoeck made statements including:

• “I said, ‘I’m going to be the judge, the jury and the executioner.’ And that’s what I did. And that’s disgustingly awful,”
• “Someone told me the definition of mercy is getting what you don’t deserve,”
• and she pleaded for mercy.

Stacey Schoeck’s mother, Rena Morgan, read testimony from Stacey’s two younger sons. Kevin, a 10-year-old son, wrote: “I miss her every hour of every day, just like Daddy Richard.”

The sentencing included discussion of Stacey Schoeck’s claim that her belief that Richard molested her son led her to conspire to murder him, and it included discussion of premeditation. Judge Deal emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, stating: “This wasn’t a spur of moment, heat of the moment crime. It was very, very premeditated.”

The defense asked the judge to consider mitigating factors including Stacey Schoeck’s alleged past childhood sexual abuse, which she disclosed to a forensic therapist during imprisonment. The defense also asked the judge to consider her positive interaction with other female inmates and her cooperation with the district attorney. Prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty against Stacey Schoeck in light of her cooperation and testimony in the Ross trial.

Judge Deal stated he had “no doubt” that Stacey had been molested as a child while also emphasizing the crime’s premeditated nature.

Stacey’s attorney asked the judge to note that Stacey Schoeck should not be in the same prison as Ross. Judge Deal referenced limited resources to hold female prisoners and suggested that both attorneys and himself sign a letter making the request.

Outcome

Stacey Schoeck received a life sentence without parole on December 5, 2012, following her guilty plea.

The murder-for-hire case involved multiple convicted killers who each received life without parole sentences: Reginald Coleman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole, and Lynitra Ross was sentenced to life without parole.

Aftermath and statements

On the third anniversary of Richard Schoeck’s death, his family spoke about their relief and desire for closure. Carol Fillingim said:

• “Richard was always there,”
• “He would help anybody do anything. It will never be behind us. 'We’re trying to get a little closure to it. I hope it keeps other criminals from thinking they can get away with something like this.'”
• “It will never be behind us.
• and “This is my closure — getting everyone to know that he’s not been forgotten.”

Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh described Richard Schoeck as:

• “Richard was a fine man, a Boy Scout leader, a very community-minded, compassionate person,”
• “He was a busy, well-liked person.”

Stacey Schoeck was described as having accepted total responsibility for her crimes at sentencing.

Richard Schoeck’s family indicated they planned to host a get-together with friends he cherished but would not have him there for the celebration.

Other details

Victim background and family

Richard Schoeck was described as having adopted Stacey Schoeck’s children and treating them like his own. His family described him as always there to help anyone do anything and as a problem-solver.

Richard Schoeck would have turned 50 in June, according to statements in connection with the anniversary.

Financial aspects

Investigators suspected a financial motive and referenced life insurance policies in the amount of $500,000, as well as pending life insurance claims totaling $560,000 and a policy activated Feb. 1.

A fraud investigator testified about significant transfers between accounts owned by Stacey Schoeck and her grandmother and another account shared with Kaveh Khajavi.

Vehicle and related testimony

Stacey Schoeck’s actions surrounding a 2009 Chevrolet Impala were described in testimony:

• She called Jennifer Reyes on Feb. 17, 2010 and asked whether she could pick up the Impala from Ross’ house, stating Ross had initially intended to buy the car but wasn’t able to get financing.
• Jennifer Reyes testified she agreed to pick it up but that she never picked up the car.
• Jennifer Reyes testified Ross wanted the car picked up after 9 p.m. but Jennifer could pick it up earlier, and Ross became upset; Jennifer said Ross “got an attitude with me” and “She got huffy and puffy.”
• Jennifer Reyes testified someone dropped the car off at Reyes’ tattoo shop when she wasn’t there and left the keys on a case in front of an employee.
• The following month, Stacey Schoeck contacted Alicia Flores about buying the vehicle. Flores testified Stacey Schoeck said there were “too many vehicles in her driveway” and she wanted to sell the car to help pay for hospice for one of her grandparents.
• Flores testified about a deal where Stacey offered $3,000 for a 1995 Toyota Camry and to sell the Impala for $12,000, and that when Flores said she might not qualify for a loan, Stacey said she would give Flores the Impala anyway.
• Flores testified she would pay $100 to $200 a month until fully paid off. Flores testified Stacey mentioned that if she couldn’t pay for the car, Stacey would be okay with it.
• Flores testified that on March 16, she was picked up and Stacey signed the Impala over to her name. Flores testified she saw Stacey was in a hurry to get rid of it.
• Flores made two payments of $100 in April and May 2010, and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office seized the vehicle; Flores had not possessed the vehicle since.

In cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned Flores about approval of her son dating a married woman and how she was able to get the title after putting no money down except her 1995 Camry. Flores replied: “My son is a grown man, and he’s a divorced person,” and “I can’t make choices as to who he picks to date ... it was his choice to see her, not mine.”

Co-worker affair

Stacey Schoeck was described as having an affair with co-worker Juan Reyes at the time of her husband’s death, with Reyes’ mother and sister-in-law providing testimony about the desire to sell the Impala after Richard’s death.