Brandon Howell.

Now that’s a long sentence.

Death would have been better, of course, but I guess the families of the victims thought that might be a little bit mean.

Fox4KC:

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office says that convicted murderer Brandon Howell will spend the rest of his life in prison, getting five life sentences on Thursday for a 2014 killing spree in south Kansas City.

Howell, 38, was convicted in April by a jury on all counts of first -degree murder he faced for beating two people to death and shooting and killing three others on September 2, 2014. His sentences are consecutive, and he’ll never be eligible for parole.

The killings happened on Woodbridge Lane, near Wornall Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard. The victims were 86-year-old Ann Taylor, 80-year-old George Taylor, 88-year-old Lorene Hurst, her 68-year-old son Darrel Hurst and 69-year-old Susan Choucroun.

In August 2015 Jackson County prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty for Howell. However, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in April that her office met with all of the family members and decided it was best to remove death as an option in this case and to see the rest of Howell’s nature life in prison.

…

Court documents say Howell allegedly tried to steal a vintage Jaguar from Ann and George Taylor. Police found the couple badly beaten and barely clinging to life in their basement. They later died at the hospital.

According to a police investigation, Howell hot-wired the car and tried to get away. But the car didn’t work, and neighbors came outside to try to help. That’s when court documents say Howell allegedly shot at them and killed Lorene Hurst, Darrel Hurst and Susan Choucroun.

Then, court documents say Howell drove off in another one of the Taylor’s cars, a Toyota SUV. It all happened in broad daylight, around one o’clock. Hours later, just before midnight, police found Howell walking with a shotgun they said he brought to the Taylor’s home and used in the killings, near I-29 and Northwest Barry Road.

They said he attacked three people at a Motel 6 after he left Woodbridge. Howell is facing charges in Platte County related to that incident.

Brandon Howell.

Imagine murdering five people over a damn car.

It might not make sense to a human, but it sure makes sense to a nigger.

Daily Mail:

A man who beat an elderly Missouri couple to death and stole their SUV before fatally shooting three of their Kansas City neighbors who witnessed the theft was convicted by a jury on Monday.

Brandon Howell, 39, was found guilty on five counts of first-degree murder and seven other felonies in the killings.

Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty.

The Jackson County jury deliberated less than two hours after getting the case Monday morning.

The defense did not call any witnesses during the week-long trial, according to the Kansas City Star reported.

Court records indicated Howell beat 80-year-old George Taylor and his wife, Anna Mae ‘Ann’ Taylor, 86, before trying to steal a classic Jaguar from the home.

Police have said Howell couldn’t get the car started, so he stole the Taylors’ sports utility vehicle instead.

Witnesses told police they saw the driver of the Taylors’ vehicle stop in front of Susan Choucroun’s house next door, the Kansas City Star reported.

He got out and shot Choucroun in her driveway before leaving. Arriving officers found the Taylors severely beaten in their basement. They died a week later in a hospital.

Two other potential witnesses to the theft – 88-year-old Lorene Hurst and her son, 63-year-old Darrel Hurst – also were shot to death, possibly as they were returning from the grocery store.

The SUV later was found abandoned near a Motel 6 in neighboring Platte County, where Howell is charged with assaulting three people.

Howell was arrested that night walking along a freeway carrying a shotgun in his pants.

An elderly couple who were brutally beaten inside their home have died from their injuries almost exactly a week after they were attacked.

Police announced the death of 86-year-old Ann Taylor, whose desperate 911 call alerted authorities to a crime spree in south Kansas City.

Taylor died Tuesday at an area hospital, Kansas City police announced Tuesday afternoon. They said Taylor’s family had notified them of her death.

“Our condolences continue to be with all families involved,” the police department said in a news release.

In a separate news release, the Taylors’ family announced the death of both.

“George and Ann died peacefully and we are blessed that they left this Earth together. They were married more than 40 years, and loved each other dearly,” the statement said. “They lived life fully, and while many might say they were old, they were healthy, vibrant, independent and extremely active in the community – a community they loved and gave back to generously.”

Christine DeWitt, the Taylors’ granddaughter, spoke about how much they loved their family and friends.

“They were wonderful parents, loving grandparents, the best friends you could ask for, kind and caring neighbors and took pride in helping others. We are all better human beings for knowing and loving them,” she said. “While we are devastated to have lost George and Ann today, we want something good to come out of this tragedy and send this message: Love one another; hold your family close; have faith and live life fully – just as they did.”

Relatives of the couple, who became the fourth and fifth homicide victims of the crime spree, were seen taking items from their home on Tuesday. They are now preparing for the couple’s funeral.

Neighbors who learned of George and Ann Taylor’s deaths said they were deeply affected by the news.

“Very sad because I kept hoping that they could come home,” said neighbor Marge Schroeder.

Brandon B. Howell was previously charged with assaulting the couple, brutally beating and leaving them in the basement of their South Kansas City home. He is accused of gunning down the Taylors’ neighbors as they caught Howell trying to steal the Taylors’ antique Jaguar. When he was unable to start the vehicle, he then stole their Toyota Highlander, police said.

Howell, 34, faces 12 charges including three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is in the Jackson County Jail and a judge refused to allow him to make bond.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker is expected to upgrade the assault charges involving the Taylors to first-degree murder. Baker is likely weighing the death penalty against Howell.

“Be assured that at the appropriate time, today’s sad news of the Taylor’s passing will be reflected in the state’s case against the defendant,” Baker said.

A week ago Tuesday, Ann and George Taylor had been left for dead in their basement, but Ann Taylor managed to get to a telephone and call 911.

“Help,” she told the dispatcher while managing to give her address. “Shotgun.”

And then the line went dead just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Suspicious neighbors sought to alert authorities. When Howell couldn’t start the Jag, he allegedly managed to get the keys to the Taylors’ Toyota Highlander.

As he was leaving the neighborhood, the suspect stopped and got out of the SUV. Armed with a shotgun, he confronted Susan Choucroun, 69, who had left her home. Howell allegedly pulled out his shotgun and shot Choucroun once. She collapsed and would die in her own driveway.

Officers arriving at the typically quiet cul-de-sac found the garage doors open to the Taylors’ and Choucroun’s homes. After finding the Taylors desperately clinging to life and Choucroun dead, officers began a door-to-door search for other victims and suspects.

At the home of 88-year-old Lorene Hurst, they found her shot dead along with her 63-year-old son, Darrel, who was visiting her as he did regularly. They were found in the front yard.

Marge Schroeder is left to wonder if the neighborhood will ever be the same again.

“This is overwhelming. It’s horrible, makes me jumpy,” she said.

Share your condolences with the Taylor family on KCTV5’s Facebook page. Click here for more.

Here is the entire statement from Christine DeWitt, the Taylors’ granddaughter.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce George and Ann Taylor died today from the brutal injuries they suffered during the Kansas City, Missouri shootings on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

“We deeply appreciate the community’s support and their outpouring of love, and thank the Kansas City Police Department, first responders and hospital staff for their excellent care and compassion.

“George and Ann died peacefully and we are blessed that they left this Earth together. They were married more than 40 years, and loved each other dearly. They lived life fully, and while many might say they were old, they were healthy, vibrant, independent and extremely active in the community- a community they loved and gave back to generously.

“They were wonderful parents, loving grandparents, the best friends you could ask for, kind and caring neighbors and took pride in helping others. We are all better human beings for knowing and loving them.

“While we are devastated to have lost George and Ann today, we want something good to come out of this tragedy and send this message: Love one another; hold your family close; have faith and live life fully – just as they did.”