(ANDERSON, SC.)
Kyndra Howell was convicted Wednesday by an Anderson County jury of the kidnapping and armed robbery of C. J. Patel in July of 2012, as well as possessing a weapon during the commission of the crime. The jury found Howell not guilty of murder. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Howell to 30 years for kidnapping, 15 years for armed robbery and 5 years for the weapons offense. All sentences are to be served consecutively.
Mr. Patel was bound, tortured and robbed while visiting the defendant’s home on July 1, 2012. When he failed to give bank account information to the defendant and others in the home, he was taken to a secluded area close to the Georgia border where he was shot in the head. The victim was found several days later in 100 degree temperatures.
“We respect the jury’s verdict of not guilty for the murder of Mr. Patel,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “However, we believe that Kyndra Howell’s greed and total disregard for the life of others led directly to the brutal actions causing his death. Her actions will now force her to spend what could be the rest of her life in prison.”