Woodstock Murder Suspects Plead Guilty, Get Prison Time

Three of four people who were indicted in connection to the murder of a man in his unincorporated Woodstock home have pleaded guilty and sentenced for their part in the crime.

Krystle Gail Taylor, 28, Benson Kyle Lloyd, 28, and Lindsey Morgan Campbell, 26, all entered guilty pleas on Friday in Cherokee County Superior Court.

Court records show co-defendant John Taylor has yet to go to trial in connection to the December 2013 shooting death of Christopher Pierce, 47.

Taylor pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree, possession of methamphetamine and felony theft by taking and was sentenced to 15 years, with seven to serve in prison and the rest on probation. Lloyd pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and received a 15-year sentence, five of which he will serve in prison and the rest on probation.

Campbell also pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and received a 10-year sentence. She will spend three years behind the bars and rest of her sentence will be served on probation.

Upon release, all three defendants also:

• pay probation and attorneys fees;
• pay restitution in the amount of $7,468.48 ($4,467.48, which will go to the victim’s father Frank Pierce, and $3,000 to Crime Victims Compensation);
• have no contact with the victims’ father, victim’s sister Sarah Pierce or each other;
• are barred from entering Cherokee County;
• must undergo substance abuse treatment;
• must not consume alcohol or use unlawful or narcotic drugs unless prescribed;
• must not associate with anyone who consumes or possesses illegal drugs;
• must not consume alcohol and operate a motor vehicle; and
• must not reside in a home where alcohol and illegal drugs are present.

All four defendants initially pleaded not guilty after they were indicted on 13 counts in February.

The defendants in February were indicted on 13 counts, including two counts of felony murder and one count each of malice murder, burglary in the first degree, aggravated assault and possession a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Additionally John Taylor, Krystle Taylor and Benson Kyle Lloyd were each charged with possession of methamphetamine.

John Taylor was also indicted with an additional count each of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by convicted felon and felony murder while Krystle Taylor was indicted on one count of theft by taking for allegedly taking Pierce’s .380 caliber handgun.

In December, detectives with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office were called to Pierce’s home at 147 Misty Hollow Way in unincorporated Woodstock after the victim, who lived alone, was discovered dead by his father. The sheriff’s office issued warrants for the arrest of Lloyd, Krystle Taylor and John Taylor. All three were eventually arrested and charged with the crime.

Campbell was not initially arrested for the crime, but wast later name a party to the crime in the indictment.

Photo: from left to right: Benson Kyle Lloyd, Krystle Taylor and Lindsey Campbell. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office