Lamont Cousins, 48, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of the 2020 murders of three individuals, including a used car dealership owner and two employees.
On December 14, 2020, Cousins fatally shot 65-year-old Virginia Lewis, 46-year-old Veronica Del Jones, and 55-year-old Clayton Turrentine in a dispute over a car deal. The killings took place at Bill’s Auto Sales on Benbrook Highway in Fort Worth, where Cousins shot and left Lewis dead on the floor of the dealership.
Assistant District Attorneys Dale Smith and Lloyd Whelchel presented the case for the State. Whelchel described the murders as an execution, noting the brutality and the culmination of Cousins' violent history.
"The Defendant shot Virginia Lewis and left her to die on the ground like a dog," Smith told the jury.
Following the murders, Cousins, with co-defendant Andrew Vandermeer, forced Turrentine and Jones into a car and drove them to an abandoned building in Palo Pinto County. There, Cousins shot both victims in the back of the head, leaving their bodies in the building before returning to Fort Worth.
Cousins' criminal history, marked by violence and threats, was highlighted during the trial. The prosecution emphasized that his behavior would not change, underscoring the need for justice.
"This is not about vengeance. This is about justice," Smith stated.
The murders stemmed from a dispute involving a red Dodge car Cousins sold to Turrentine, which later had a lien on it, leading to the vehicle's repossession.
Vandermeer, 36, is also facing charges in the case and is expected to plead guilty in exchange for a 45-year prison sentence.
Special thanks were extended to DA Investigator Danny Nutt, Victim Coordinator Elizabeth Garcia, and the law enforcement agencies involved in bringing the case to trial.
