When Hall County investigators were looking into Richard Schoeck’s death, they subpoenaed records from all calls placed in the vicinity of a cellphone tower near Ga. 365 on the night of his murder.In those records, investigators found a number that was also a contact in the phone of Richard Schoeck’s wife, Stacey, according to testimony in the trial of Lynitra Ross of Austell who faces charges of malice murder.The number belonged to Reginald Coleman, who was listed in Stacey Schoeck’s phone as “Reggie.”Of the thousands of calls Coleman had made since the beginning of January 2010, the only call he made using that tower near Lula was to Ross, according to testimonies from records professionals for Sprint and Verizon and Hall County Lt. Sean McCusker.Ross, too, was also a contact in Stacey Schoeck’s phone.For the last two days, prosecutors have been presenting evidence they say demonstrates that Ross served as the “middle man” in the hired hit of Richard Schoeck, connecting Stacey Schoeck with Coleman when she expressed interest in having her husband killed, according to statements made in court this week.Attorneys for Ross, who worked with Stacey Schoeck at a DeKalb County spine clinic, argue that the state doesn’t have enough evidence to charge their client with murder.Today, Stacey Schoeck will appear as a witness for the state. Also charged with murder, Stacey Schoeck is expected to enter a guilty plea after her testimony.Prosecutors for the Hall County district attorney’s office have said that they will not seek the death penalty against Stacey Schoeck if she testifies truthfully today.It appears Richard Schoeck was shot five times on Valentine’s Day in 2010, with one of the bullets likely passing through his right hand before passing through his torso, Geoffrey Smith, a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy on Schoeck’s body, told the court Wednesday.The two shots to his face likely came from close range and penetrated his brain and spinal cord. Richard Schoeck, active in the Boy Scouts and an avid hot-air balloonist, had planned to meet his wife at Belton Bridge Park in Lula to exchange valentines.
Prosecution in Valentine's Day slaying trial focuses on records
Bank, phone documents connect Ross to slaying, prosecutors say