Damon Bethea on trial in 2014 double murder

The trial of Damon Bethea is underway in Superior Court in Georgetown. Bethea is the second defendant accused in the January 2014 murders of Cletis Nelson and William Hopkins at Nelson’s home on Harmons Hill Road in Millsboro.

In the second day of testimony, witness Shamir Stratton detailed how he, Bethea, Richard Robinson and Rhamir Waples arrived together in Delaware and the events that subsequently led to the murders.

Stratton, 26, of Pennsauken, N.J., said he was contacted by Steve Kellam, known by witnesses as Silk, to come to Millsboro for a party at the Millsboro VFW, and do some work or, in a word Stratton used to indicate robberies, some “licks.” Stratton is a cousin of Kellam, Bethea and brothers Waples and Robinson. He said he picked up Bethea first, in Camden, before driving across the Ben Franklin Bridge to pick up Waples and Robinson in Philadelphia. Stratton said Bethea, 32, whom he referred to as “Dame,” wasn’t totally on board with a trip to Delaware but came anyway. He said Bethea did not know Robinson or Waples before the trip.

Stratton testified they met Kellam Jan. 12, when they all went to the VFW but left early, going back to the home Kellam shared with his brother, John Snead. It was at the house that Kellam showed his cousins three guns, Stratton said. Prosecutors say these three guns were a .40-caliber and .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol, as well as a .32-caliber automatic, guns that were used in the two murders. Stratton said Bethea did not know Snead or Kellam at the time they all met.

The next night, Jan. 13, the group once again went to the VFW, where late in the night, Stratton said, Waples got into a fight. Stratton said he went to help Waples and ended up getting hit in the head with a bottle, but he did not see who hit him. Stratton said he went to Beebe Healthcare with Waples, Robinson and Bethea and received seven staples to the head to repair the wound. He said Bethea accompanied him back to the treatment area.

The next day, Jan. 14, Stratton said he was awakened by Snead, referring to him as “Johnny Boy.” Snead took Stratton outside and pointed out two men in a car, one of them dark-skinned with dreadlocks. Stratton testified that he did not recognize the man.

Later that day, Kellam gathered the group and they headed to a house where they encountered Snead chasing the man with dreadlocks, later identified as Hopkins, into a house. Stratton said during this confrontation, Kellam and Waples were armed with two of Kellam’s pistols. Stratton said about 10 men showed up to intervene on Hopkins’ behalf; at that point everyone agreed to let Hopkins and Snead fight. Stratton said Snead had been drinking and was taken down by Hopkins, who repeatedly punched Snead in the face and head.

Stratton said the fight broke up when police began arriving, and the group headed back to Snead’s and Kellam’s house. Stratton testified that later that night, he went to a liquor store, where he met Rachel Rentoul, whom he did not know, but he talked her into exchanging numbers. From there, Stratton said Kellam gathered everyone up and hit the road, first stopping at a Wawa in Milford, and then going to a hotel in Long Neck where they met up with Rentoul, Jackie Heverin and Carlton Gibbs. Stratton said he was surprised to see Rentoul there, as they had been texting through the night.

Rentoul testified that she had called her boyfriend, Nelson, to discuss procuring heroin. With everyone listening, Rentoul said she also knew there was $5,000 in cash at the house. Stratton said the idea was planted to rob Nelson, especially when it came up that Hopkins was also at the house. Rentoul said she showed the guys where the house was; Stratton said Kellam and Gibbs went to get Kellam’s guns. Kellam passed the guns to Stratton, who distributed them to Robinson, Waples and Bethea. Stratton said he was appointed as the getaway driver. When asked what to do with the two men inside the house, Nelson and Hopkins, Stratton said Kellam gave the order to kill them.

At the house, Robinson, Waples and Bethea went inside, while Stratton waited for them to come out. He said he started moving the car to the middle of the street when he saw Waples and Robinson come running out, but no Bethea. Eventually, everyone met back at a relative of Kellam’s house, Stratton said, where he learned Hopkins and Nelson had been shot.

Stratton previously pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, home invasion, conspiracy and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony. He faces a maximum of 77 years in prison with a minimum sentence of 12 years. Robinson also took a guilty plea to second-degree murder, racketeering, burglary and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony. He faces 25 years to life in prison and has agreed to testify. Robinson declined to testify during the trial of Waples, but Waples was convicted of 21 charges, including first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and home invasion and faces up to life in prison.

Rentoul, Heverin, complete testimony

The day’s testimony began with defense attorney Tom Donovan cross-examining Rentoul, questioning her recollection of events. Rentoul said Nelson had spent $30,000 to replenish his heroin stash that weekend, but the drugs had not yet arrived. She said she and Heverin found out at the same time about the murders, and that Kellam and Gibbs had told them to keep quiet. Rentoul and Heverin were working as prostitutes to support their drug habits, and Rentoul said when they met with the guys at the hotel, they wanted the girls to trick. Rentoul said she did not recall who Bethea was, but she remembered hearing the name “Dame.”

Heverin said Rentoul was serving as her broker, showing her how to prostitute and taking a portion of her payments in heroin. She said she later realized that Rentoul was taking advantage of her.

Testimony in the case will continue on Thursday, April 6. Prosecutors told Judge Jane Brady that they expect to wrap their case early next week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, April 11.