4 charged in killing of $250,000 lottery winner in Ohio

May 20, 2008, 11:08 pm (37 comments)

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Burglars returned again and again to the home of a $250,000 Ohio Lottery winner who had two Jaguars, a Rolex watch and lots of cash. The final intrusion, apparently by different criminals, left the 78-year-old retired stockbroker dead of a gunshot wound.

Police aren't saying if Lee Kost's death last Thursday was related to the Mega Millions prize that he won on Sept. 28. But it was clear burglars focused on his home, hitting the house sometime early in the year, again about March 11 and on April 27.

Each time cash was taken, at least $2,800 in all, plus a Rolex, four diamond rings, a sapphire ring, a credit card and a large soft-drink bottle filled with about $500 in change. The first two times, entry was gained through an unlocked door and the third time someone apparently reached through the mail slot and unlocked the door.

Police haven't disclosed what was taken in last week's attack, but said the victim previously met at least one of his attackers. Four people have been charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery and $2 million bond was set for each at court appearances on Monday.

The defendants, Terrence J. Maya, 26, of New Orleans, and Antonio C. Taylor, Porche J. Sweet and Megan C. Harper, all 18-year-olds who shared a Canton apartment, got court-appointed attorneys.

Sweet's attorney, Jeffrey Jakmides, said he looked into evidence against his client on Tuesday and said police weren't disclosing much. She will fight the charges, he said.

Kost, who lived alone with two Siamese cats, was found dead in his home Friday after police 35 miles away in Brecksville stopped the four defendants traveling along Interstate 77 in one of his two Jaguars. The car was speeding and moving erratically, police said.

Canton Prosecutor Frank Forchione said the victim had dinner with Sweet on the evening that he was killed and she contacted the others by text message while at the Kost home. Forchione declined Tuesday to specify how Kost and Sweet knew each other.

With two Jaguars and active in the community, the victim's wealth may have attracted unwanted attention, Forchione said. He said the suspects in Kost's death apparently were a different group than the earlier burglars.

Jakmides said he was unaware of any meeting between Kost and his client, if they knew each other or if she might have a financial motive.

The judge who appointed the attorneys to represent the four said there was a potential conflict of interest among them. Jakmides said he understood that meant the defendants might have provided police with information implicating co-defendants.

The defendants are due in court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday. Anthony Koukoutas, an attorney representing Maya, said he couldn't comment except to say his client appeared shocked over the matter.

Messages seeking comment were left for the other defense attorneys.

Sweet was involved in Cleveland on juvenile court charges that she was unruly in 2006 but the case was dismissed, according to court spokeswoman Patricia Oakar. An unruly charge typically involves behavior, like truancy, that isn't a crime for adults.

Sweet, who was placed in a foster home in 2006, was released last year after she turned 18, according to Oakar.

AP

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benmas's avatarbenmas

OF course i feel bad about what happened to him, but it is clear that he was not taking certain common sense precautions....

"But it was clear burglars focused on his home, hitting the house sometime early in the year, again about March 11 and on April 27.

Each time cash was taken, at least $2,800 in all, plus a Rolex, four diamond rings, a sapphire ring, a credit card and a large soft-drink bottle filled with about $500 in change. The first two times, entry was gained through an unlocked door and the third time someone apparently reached through the mail slot and unlocked the door."

So his house was hit not once but twice previously, unlocked door, living alone with two siameses cats...two jaguars...

He should have been more cautious when he knew he had money.especially after his house was robbed twice before... he should have locked all the doors, keep a gun and a dog "a german shepherd"  not siamese cats

NightTrain1234's avatarNightTrain1234

A 78 year old man having dinner with a unrelated 18 year old girl.   He probably thought he was going to get lucky.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

No Nod People can be so horrible sometimes.

jeffrey's avatarjeffrey

I'll donate the firewood and light the match if they want to burn the trash.

DC81's avatarDC81

Geez, he didn't even win a big one either. He had to have had money beforehand.... I wonder if something like this and story of that couple that won a jackpot a few years ago and ended up broke and dead, will influence whomever won the last Mega Millions jackpot.

 

This guy must have been lonely to leave his door unlocked for anyone to just be able to walk in, maybe a bit dense. Not to mention meeting this girl for whatever reason.

time*treat's avatartime*treat

"retired stockbroker"

Sandra Dee's avatarSandra Dee

reason #54,789 why to remain anonymous and to leave these young hussies alone! Thud

Uff Da!'s avatarUff Da!

DC81 said, "This guy must have been lonely to leave his door unlocked for anyone to just be able to walk in, maybe a bit dense."

Leaving his door unlocked may not have been a deliberate choice.  The man was 78 years old.  As we get older, many of us become forgetful, though still "have it together" enough to live alone.  I'm no where near his age, but bet I end up leaving the door unlocked overnight at least half a dozen to a dozen times a year.  Thankfully, I live in a very low-crime area - and have a very protective German Shepherd.  I don't know how I'd protect myself from my own memory problems if I won the big one, but I wouldn't think a $250,000 win would attract much attention if one didn't have flashy things.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on May 21, 2008

reason #54,789 why to remain anonymous and to leave these young hussies alone! Thud

Animinity is not the answer.  Having wealth is not a reason to craw under a rock and hide from the sun.  If thats your goal, buy a candy bar and walk the streets.

Having wealth and advertising it, not having a security system, common sense, and the maturity to live a normal life are flashing signs for disaster.  Of course, living in an environment that attracts criminals is not a superior choice either. Yelling out that you have money, and live alone, is not a way to obtain longivity. The statement "With two Jaguars and active in the community, the victim's wealth may have attracted unwanted attention," indicates everything I need to know. The guys ego ruled everything he did. That had a price. He payed the price.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by Uff Da! on May 21, 2008

DC81 said, "This guy must have been lonely to leave his door unlocked for anyone to just be able to walk in, maybe a bit dense."

Leaving his door unlocked may not have been a deliberate choice.  The man was 78 years old.  As we get older, many of us become forgetful, though still "have it together" enough to live alone.  I'm no where near his age, but bet I end up leaving the door unlocked overnight at least half a dozen to a dozen times a year.  Thankfully, I live in a very low-crime area - and have a very protective German Shepherd.  I don't know how I'd protect myself from my own memory problems if I won the big one, but I wouldn't think a $250,000 win would attract much attention if one didn't have flashy things.

As shown on the TV show, "It Takes A Thief", a cheap hunk of meat eliminates the threat of any dog.  Criminals have known about that for years.  Even trained attack dogs go after the low grade hamburger. Even a doggie treat is suffiient. A friendly house dog is a great campanion, but is useless protection.. An attack dog is a suicide waiting to happen.

Uff Da!'s avatarUff Da!

Quote: Originally posted by MeFirstYouLast on May 21, 2008

As shown on the TV show, "It Takes A Thief", a cheap hunk of meat eliminates the threat of any dog.  Criminals have known about that for years.  Even trained attack dogs go after the low grade hamburger. Even a doggie treat is suffiient. A friendly house dog is a great campanion, but is useless protection.. An attack dog is a suicide waiting to happen.

Ah, but when the dog (in the garage) starts barking to alert one as soon as he hears someone or something within 100 feet of the house, it gives one time to get up and investigate.  A barking dog and lights going on in the house would discourage most would-be burglars if they don't want a confrontation.  It may not discourage the lower percent who are intent on robbery, but IMO it certainly decreases the total risk.

iwillwin

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on May 21, 2008

reason #54,789 why to remain anonymous and to leave these young hussies alone! Thud

I think you said it correctly about the hussies.

What the hell is a 78 year old man doing having dinner with an 18 year old?  I'm not the smartest guy in the room, but I have a good idea why.  Now all that other stuff about the unlocked door doesn't matter.  She keeps him occupied until her "friends" are in the house, and then it's over.

I would venture an educated guess that the lottery prize just made an already visible and wealthy man that much more visible.  And therefore a bigger target.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on May 21, 2008

reason #54,789 why to remain anonymous and to leave these young hussies alone! Thud

Having an option to remain anonymous when winning $250,000 doesn't help much when he probably told his 18 year-old dinner date who happened to be a thief. We can say he should have known better because he had been burglarized before, but apparently he didn't. 

It's a sad story but when a 78 year-old man who lives alone, wears a Rolex, drives a Jag, and dates 18 year-old, painted a target on his back.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

It sounds like this poor dumb schmuck either blew it all at once or just used the $250,000 to go deeper into debt - two Jags, etc...

If ever there was an argument for keping a low profile and not flaunting it, this guy is it!

wizeguy's avatarwizeguy

My condolences to Lee Kost's family and friends. This is really sad.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on May 21, 2008

Having an option to remain anonymous when winning $250,000 doesn't help much when he probably told his 18 year-old dinner date who happened to be a thief. We can say he should have known better because he had been burglarized before, but apparently he didn't. 

It's a sad story but when a 78 year-old man who lives alone, wears a Rolex, drives a Jag, and dates 18 year-old, painted a target on his back.

I Agree! and she probably did paint the target sign

pigsNtrees's avatarpigsNtrees

Quote: Originally posted by benmas on May 20, 2008

OF course i feel bad about what happened to him, but it is clear that he was not taking certain common sense precautions....

"But it was clear burglars focused on his home, hitting the house sometime early in the year, again about March 11 and on April 27.

Each time cash was taken, at least $2,800 in all, plus a Rolex, four diamond rings, a sapphire ring, a credit card and a large soft-drink bottle filled with about $500 in change. The first two times, entry was gained through an unlocked door and the third time someone apparently reached through the mail slot and unlocked the door."

So his house was hit not once but twice previously, unlocked door, living alone with two siameses cats...two jaguars...

He should have been more cautious when he knew he had money.especially after his house was robbed twice before... he should have locked all the doors, keep a gun and a dog "a german shepherd"  not siamese cats

My condolences goes out to the family but like the saying goes......

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

GHstudent's avatarGHstudent

sad indeed

first the guy reading his ticket hit by the train

now this fellow killed

delores247's avatardelores247

Hi all, their was a woman years

ago in my town,was not a lottery winner but had a nice car and home,what happened,she befriended several young people,teens between the ages of 16 to 18,They would make money doing odd jobs around her home and she started offering them drinks and letting them come in the home to use her phone, on occassion she allowed the older one to drive her car,One day all the young people was in her car and got a ticket,the police saw blood somewhere on the car,apparently they had murdered this woman who was 68 and lived alone so my point is i think theives will target anyone who let their guard down but i think the mistake here was getting to close and trusting these young folks,i also think that when people are lonely they don't think,i find this so sad,thanks for reading my thoughts everyone ,Take care,,,,,,,,Delores247

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by Uff Da! on May 21, 2008

Ah, but when the dog (in the garage) starts barking to alert one as soon as he hears someone or something within 100 feet of the house, it gives one time to get up and investigate.  A barking dog and lights going on in the house would discourage most would-be burglars if they don't want a confrontation.  It may not discourage the lower percent who are intent on robbery, but IMO it certainly decreases the total risk.

I agree - for wanna be crooks and honest people.  However, when the risk is over ruled by the return, then the harden guy would kill your dog in a heartbeat, and still take what they want.  If the lights are on all the time, people no longer see the lights and ignore them.  It is like the painting in the living room.  Pretty soon you stop see it, because it is always there.  As far as relying on neighbors goes, you best be freinds with them and they best be around 24/7. I hear car alarms multiple times a day, I have never seen any one react positively.  I once went to an open house, and they werre out for lunch or something. They set the alarm and when I tried to open the door, I set tons of alarms off.  I sat and waited for the police.  None came. No neighbors came to check.  Most robberies are unsolved. Most murders, rapes, and every crime known to man are unsolved.  The cops are busy complying with seat belt laws and federally mandated speed limit laws. Citizens don't want to increase taxes to keep cops on the street. Crooks are smarter then given credit for.  People become lazy and make mistakes. People don't secure their property because it would appear to be giving in to the criminals, and they are much more macho and smarter then criminals.  When the cost of drugs go up, the employment rate drops, and people have less, they have no problem taking from from those who do.  Like the government, when they see some one who has succeeded and is living well, crooks want to take it away from them. It is always easier to take frm the rich, or blame the rich.  They succeeded and you didn't.  Crooks and politicians hate that!

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by GHstudent on May 22, 2008

sad indeed

first the guy reading his ticket hit by the train

now this fellow killed

Mother Nature does not excuse stupidity. Only man excuses.  If a person is blabbing away on a cell phone and slams into another car, man calls it an accident. It was N-O-T an accident, it was stupidiy and foolishness.  Why should my rates go up because of stupid people? Because man wants to be compassionate - and get something free. Call it an accident and insurance pays for it. Call it negligence and you have to pay for it. Get sick, and your neighborhood pays for it. Same logic. Any system that enables you to get by without paying your way is a great system.  Run out and vote for a politican who promises that you will get all you want for free. Nothing wrong with that.  You deserve it, your part of the system.  When we have nothing but takers, we loose what is called America. America was not built on what they other guy did, but what every one did. When every one wants it free, then the song comes into play: Bye, Bye, American Pie!  What happens when the bakers are over run by those taking the pie for free?  There will be no more pie!

JackpotWanna's avatarJackpotWanna

Wow! Very shocking story.. Murdered for being lucky. 

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by JackpotWanna on May 22, 2008

Wow! Very shocking story.. Murdered for being lucky. 

Murdered for being stupid is the real cause of death.  Its just not PLC to say the truth.  His luck was winning the lottery.  His stupidity was the reason some one decided to take it from him and then kill him. Paint a target on your back and there is a 2000% chance some one will aim for it.  This guy went out and put a flashing LEd sign on his back that kept flashing, come and get me - again.  Mother Nature ensures the dumb are eliminated. They mess up the gene pool.

mken32's avatarmken32

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on May 21, 2008

reason #54,789 why to remain anonymous and to leave these young hussies alone! Thud

I Agree!

time*treat's avatartime*treat

Quote: Originally posted by MeFirstYouLast on May 22, 2008

Mother Nature does not excuse stupidity. Only man excuses.  If a person is blabbing away on a cell phone and slams into another car, man calls it an accident. It was N-O-T an accident, it was stupidiy and foolishness.  Why should my rates go up because of stupid people? Because man wants to be compassionate - and get something free. Call it an accident and insurance pays for it. Call it negligence and you have to pay for it. Get sick, and your neighborhood pays for it. Same logic. Any system that enables you to get by without paying your way is a great system.  Run out and vote for a politican who promises that you will get all you want for free. Nothing wrong with that.  You deserve it, your part of the system.  When we have nothing but takers, we loose what is called America. America was not built on what they other guy did, but what every one did. When every one wants it free, then the song comes into play: Bye, Bye, American Pie!  What happens when the bakers are over run by those taking the pie for free?  There will be no more pie!

Just for the record, I want to say that MeFirstYouLast and I are actually two different people.LOLLOL

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by time*treat on May 23, 2008

Just for the record, I want to say that MeFirstYouLast and I are actually two different people.LOLLOL

D-U-H !  Why did you neglect to mention you are not Barrack Obama Hussem, Hilliary Clinton, John McCain, or Reverant Wright, or any one of an addition zillion people.  If people cannot distintuish between MeFirstYou Last and time*treat, then they should not be allowed out of the basement! Talk about forgiving the stupid! 

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by wizeguy on May 21, 2008

My condolences to Lee Kost's family and friends. This is really sad.

Why?  These family memebers didn't appear to do anything for him when he was alive.  Now that he is dead, they probably only regret the loss of any access to his money they mau have lost.  People don't live the life this lose lead when they have some one who cares about them.  Friends?  He obviously didn't have any.  You don't have friends and live a life of solitude.

If you want to be alone, that is what you purposely chose.  You can volunteer at a hospital, even something lowly like an escort through the halls.  You can volunteer at the library. You can be a volunteer at a hundred places. I see them all time.  It gives them access to people and something active to do. Death  I-S  coming, never doubt it, but don't spend your life sitting in a dark room waiting for it. Get out there an have atleast one person you can relate to!

TigerAngel's avatarTigerAngel

What a shame.  Two Jaguars?  That's why I didn't get the Jag years ago, because ya gotta have two. . . one to drive while one is in the shop!!

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by TigerAngel on May 28, 2008

What a shame.  Two Jaguars?  That's why I didn't get the Jag years ago, because ya gotta have two. . . one to drive while one is in the shop!!

Its just an expensive Ford.  Contrary to the loud music and pretty women, it is just an expensive Ford.  Ford bought it years because it fit the Ford imagine: Found On Road Dead!

rubberbandman's avatarrubberbandman

I know I haven't spoken here in a while but dude Mefirstyoulast your posts are very pessimistic, im sad just reading them. 

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by MeFirstYouLast on May 23, 2008

D-U-H !  Why did you neglect to mention you are not Barrack Obama Hussem, Hilliary Clinton, John McCain, or Reverant Wright, or any one of an addition zillion people.  If people cannot distintuish between MeFirstYou Last and time*treat, then they should not be allowed out of the basement! Talk about forgiving the stupid! 

If you really have to ask you're one of the stupid people you apparently hate.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Hmm, It looks like Mefirstyoulast has been banned. I wonder why.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

I can't believe how many people here are blaming the victim. 

Sandra Dee's avatarSandra Dee

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on May 30, 2008

Hmm, It looks like Mefirstyoulast has been banned. I wonder why.

Blue Thinking r u sure? i just saw him down the hallway [some other post last night] .. but i don't think Todd would do that unless .. heck, if the 'noob' is still allowed to post here, why not him

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on May 30, 2008

Blue Thinking r u sure? i just saw him down the hallway [some other post last night] .. but i don't think Todd would do that unless .. heck, if the 'noob' is still allowed to post here, why not him

Either he was banned or he decided to leave. His profile says he is a guest and yesterday he had a gold membership and now he doesn't so yeah, I am pretty sure he is gone.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on May 30, 2008

Hmm, It looks like Mefirstyoulast has been banned. I wonder why.

Yes, he was.

I don't want to change this thread's subject, and I'd rather not air dirty laundry on the forums, so if you'd like to know some detail you can send me a PM.

Otherwise, let's please keep this thread's content focused on the news story.

maine23's avatarmaine23

Court appointed lawyers.....adios amigos....know its like the odds are against you guys....lets see if they can hit their lottery which is not guilty....good luck on that 1...Stupid people do stupid things...hell he was 76 the girl could have sat on his lap and rubbed the right spot to get the rolex and 2600 dollars.....Geez.....I hope they get the chair 4 that 1...Good reason why you shouldnt trust anybody after winning any money....Where Im from you cant even tell nobody you won 200 dollars...The way the economy is today makes it no better for people trying to live a good life.... P.S. Their is always somebody watching so be aware of your surroundings...

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