'Murder Kroger' Trial Begins

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ATLANTA, GA -- The trial of two men accused of murdering an Alabama man outside a Midtown Kroger last year began this week.

Damarius Thompson and Shontavius Chestnut are facing murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault in the killing of Joshua Richey, 39.

On March 10, 2015, Richey was gunned down after he tried to prevent two men from breaking into his truck at a Kroger parking lot, located on Ponce de Leon Avenue. The store has come to be known in the community as the "murder Kroger."

Richey had been working on the exterior of the store and was returning to his truck at the end of the day when he noticed men breaking into the truck from the passenger side, the DA’s Office said.

Richey allegedly confronted the thieves through the driver side window, at which point Thompson allegedly shot Richey in the chest and fled in a car being driven by Chestnut, prosecutors said.

Surveillance camera footage of the parking lot captured a black BMW with tinted windows which was described by witnesses as the getaway vehicle. A tip from Crime Stoppers led police to the BMW, which led them to Thompson.

Thompson has been indicted on charges of murder, four counts of felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal attempt to commit entering automobile, tampering with evidence, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Chestnut has been indicted on charges of felony murder, entering automobile, criminal attempt to commit entering automobile, and hindering the apprehension of a criminal.

Thompson was arrested on March 26, while Chestnut was found in Florida on April 9.

Fulton County jail records show Thompson as a frequent guest inside the jail; his arrest record spans from 2008 to 2014 and includes charges such as obstruction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, battery, and burglary.

DeKalb County jail records show arrests for Thompson between 2007 and 2012 for reckless driving, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property, and several failure to appear arrests.

Georgia Department of Corrections records show that Thompson has done two stints in state prison for aggravated stalking, terroristic threats and actions, and theft by receiving stolen property. He had been released from prison

Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections