Man faces decades in prison for role in Sunhouse convenience store killing

A man who admitted to killing a clerk at a Sunhouse convenience store and robbing another shop during a month-long crime spree will spend at least 45 years in prison.

On Tuesday, McKinley Daniels pleaded guilty to murder and armed robbery while other charges were dropped. Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Daniels.

Daniels appeared in Horry County Circuit Court wearing a green-issued jumpsuit with “DOC” scrawled across the back. He spoke only to answer the judge’s questions or to ask his own. Daniels did say he would not help the co-defendants’ cases even with his plea. Chief Deputy Solicitor Scott Hixson said the plea did not require corporation.

Police charged McKinley Daniels, James Daniels and Jerome “JJ” Jenkins in connection to the spree. Jenkins is the only one with an active case and his trial is scheduled for May.

Last year, a jury convicted James Daniels of murder and two counts of armed robbery and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Investigators say in January 2015, the three suspects acted as a robbery team. They robbed and killed Balla Paruchuri at a Sunhouse convenience store on S.C. Highway 905.

“Both [McKinley Daniels and Jenkins] were seen on video firing multiple rounds,” Hixson said.

Weeks later the team robbed the Scotchman on Lake Arrowhead Road and the Sunhouse store on Oak Street. At that Sunhouse, clerk Trish Stull was shot and killed. Prosecutors say Jenkins and McKinley Daniels entered the stores and robbed them while James Daniels served as lookout and driver.

The community was on edge following the shooting and officers visited shops at night to help employees safely close their businesses.

Samantha Stull, Trish’s sister, spoke during Tuesday’s hearing and noted Friday is the fourth anniversary of her killing. She thanked the court for its efforts in hearing the case.

This story was originally published January 22, 2019 at 2:06 PM.