CONWAY, S.C. — He killed a store clerk during a 2015 armed robbery, and now he's headed to death row.
Jerome Jenkins Jr. shot and killed Bala Paruchuri during the armed robbery of a Sunhouse store in January 2015. The clerk was walking out of the store — he had already given Jenkins the store's money.
Another man, who was hiding in the restroom, was also shot during the robbery.
Jenkins was charged with murder, armed robbery and attempted murder, and he was convicted on May 11. A judge then sentenced him to death, as well as 30 years each for the armed robbery and attempted murder charges.
Jenkins is the first murderer sent to South Carolina death row since Ricky Blackwell in 2014. Blackwell killed an 8-year-old girl to get back at his ex-wife in Spartanburg County.
Prosecutor Jimmy Richardson called Jenkins a cold killer, but his lawyer asked for mercy, saying every man in his family was either dead or in prison. He said sparing Jenkins' life might save his son.
Two other men were also convicted in this fatal armed robbery. Two brothers James Daniels, 31; and McKinley Daniels, 37; were charged with murder and armed robbery.
They were also charged for murder and armed robbery for the shooting death of Trish Stull at another Sunhouse store location. According to a report, they robbed a third convenience store about an hour before killing Trisha Stull.
James was convicted in August 2018 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. McKinley pleaded guilty to murder and armed robber and received a 45-year sentence for murder and 30-year sentence for armed robbery to run concurrently. McKinley also faced the death penalty, but the court found him intellectually disabled.
“It’s been a long hard fight as we have been dealing with three defendants in this case. It’s gratifying to know both of the victim’s family can sleep well tonight,” said Scott Hixson, 15th Circuit chief deputy solicitor.
