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Blood gang members receive life sentences in Lake Wylie double murder

By Blake Hanson
By Blake Hanson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two of the key players in the double murder of a Lake Wylie couple were sentenced Tuesday in federal court.

A judge sentenced Jamell Cureton to life in prison without parole. Cureton was dubbed the ringleader of the heinous crime that shocked the Lake Wylie community.

Malcolm Hartley was given three life sentences in prison without parole for shooting and killing the couple in their home.

(Jamell Cureton, Malcolm Hartley)

Doug and Debbie London were shot to death in their home in October 2014. Investigators said members of the United Blood Nation gang killed the couple to keep them from testifying about an armed robbery at their mattress store.

(Doug and Debbie London)

Cureton played a role in an armed robbery at the Londons' furniture store in south Charlotte. He was in jail when the Londons were killed, but he ordered the hit on the couple. Hartley was the one who pulled the trigger.

The two pleaded guilty in September 2016 for their roles in the murders.

(Click PLAY to watch Jamell Cureton walk into court for sentencing)

Cureton apologized to the London family and to his own family. He said his mom didn't raise him like this.

"I think you heard him in court today, I think he is very remorseful for his acts," said Cureton's attorney Rick Winiker.

Hartley's mother burst into tears in court. She said her son was set to join the Navy in 2012 before his life spiraled out of control.

"This was a young man that had a pathway out, made a poor decision and kind of spiraled from there," Hartley's attorney Dan Roberts said.

“May these sentences bring some sense of peace for those grieving families,” said U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose. “Our message to these violent gangs: We are resolute, we are prepared and we will ensure you are punished mightily for gang violence and community intimidation.”

The couple's son Daniel London sent Channel 9 the following statement Tuesday afternoon: 

"The steps taken today have been a huge step in the healing process for our family. We are all pleased to witness justice being served. Thank you to the Federal Prosecutors , the FBI, Judge Cogburn, local law enforcement and all who assisted in this conclusion being reached. We can now truly begin the arduous process of healing. God bless."​

Cureton filed a motion Monday, the day before his sentencing, asking that he be moved out of solitary confinement. Cureton wrote in court documents that he has been writing fiction while in the Mecklenburg County Jail and talking to himself. Cureton added that he has not been able to get mental health treatment.

Attorneys asked the judge Tuesday to help keep Cureton from having to endure more time in solitary confinement. Judge Max Cogburn was hesitant to get involved in how federal prison officials decided to keep Cureton imprisoned, but he also said it could be unconstitutional for him to be permanently kept in solitary confinement.

Cogburn said he could make a decision on the motion by the end of the week.

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Channel 9 has reported for years on Cureton’s dangerous behavior while behind bars.

(Click PLAY to watch Jamell Cureton being led into federal court in April 2015)

In February 2015, Channel 9 confirmed from sources that pictures discovered in Cureton’s cell prompted extra protection of two judges and the Charlotte city attorney at the time. Court documents filed in June 2015 revealed that Cureton started a file in his jail cell on a Charlotte news reporter who was following the homicide case.

Prosecutors filed a motion in November 2016 asking to hurry up Cureton’s sentencing. Mecklenburg County Jail staff found a two and a half inch long metal shank inside Cureton’s pod in October 2016. Staff also found a book in his cell that belonged to another inmate and contained markings that “could be some sort of coded communication,” according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Cureton is under “special administrative measures,” while he is in custody at the Mecklenburg County Jail.

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