State-Journal.com - Frankfort man found murdered in Cincinnati

Justin Troxell

Justin Troxell, a 19-year-old Frankfort plumber, was found shot to death inside his car on a back street in Cincinnati 7 p.m. Thursday.

Cincinnati police found Troxell shot through the left side of his face in his yellow Chevrolet Monte Carlo Super Sport Thursday after his father – Rex Troxell, of Lawrenceburg – reported him missing.

Justin Troxell was supposed to be on his way to New Albany, Ind. – across the river from Louisville – to drop off Tommy Wallace, 20, and Wallace’s girlfriend with Wallace’s family there, Rex Troxell told The State Journal Saturday.

Tommy Wallace’s father – Tommy McKinney, 36 – was shot to death outside his home on Holmes Street with a .45-caliber handgun Jan. 5.

Justin Troxell and Wallace met shortly after McKinney’s death, the senior Troxell said.

His son had $600 cash from his tax returns and wasn’t familiar with the route from Frankfort to New Albany, Troxell said.

“Justin’s not familiar with Indiana or Cincinnati,” Rex Troxell told The State Journal.

“We have family in Indianapolis and we’d go from time to time, but as far as frequenting Indiana or Ohio ... it would be easy for him to get turned around.”

Justin Troxell called his fiancée around 8 p.m. Wednesday and told her he was 50 miles off-route, Troxell said.

He also told her Wallace had a pistol, Troxell said.

Justin Troxell’s fiancée gave police the information after he was shot, Rex Troxell said.

Cincinnati police Sgt. Rudy Gruenke told The Cincinnati Enquirer he can’t recall any cases like this, where someone came from so far out of the city and was killed, in his eight years working for the city’s homicide unit.

“It’s going to take a lot of leg work talking to a lot of people who are not from here,” Gruenke said. “We are processing the car tonight (Friday).”

Police have made no arrests in the case, Troxell said. He’d talked to homicide detectives around 6:30 p.m. Friday, he said.

“Police can’t find (Wallace) or his girlfriend,” Troxell told The State Journal.

Both Troxells were plumbers and worked for 21st Century Plumbing & HVAC in Frankfort but had been laid off after the owner – Mike Hancock, 59 – died Dec. 29, according to the father.

Justin Troxell was engaged and had a 6-month-old daughter, he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cincinnati Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040. Callers can remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward.

Wallace’s father was shot and killed outside his home on 926 Holmes St. Jan. 5 over a disputed car sale, Frankfort police and Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland say.

Lionel McGrapth, 31, of Versailles, faces murder and wanton endangerment charges after he unloaded a .45-caliber handgun and shot McKinney twice – once through the heart and once through the hip, Cleveland told The State Journal Jan. 13.

McGrapth almost shot Wallace during the shooting, Cleveland said.

McGrapth pleaded not guilty Jan. 19 and is in Franklin County Regional Jail on a $500,000 bond.

9.	Posted by Vivian March 1, 2010
	From Lex Herald... http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100301/NEWS0107/303010044/Two+arrested+in+man+s+death+in+car Two teens have been charged in the shooting death last week of a 19-year-old Kentucky man whose body was found in a parked car in Cincinnati. Tommy Wallace, 19, was arrested by Covington police, and Jessica Spears, 19, was arrested by Cincinnati police, said Cincinnati Sgt. Rudy Gruenke in a prepared statement. Both were charged with murder. Man found dead in parked car They are accused in the shooting death of Justin William Troxell of Frankfort, Ky. His body was found behind the wheel of a Monte Carlo about 7 p.m. Thursday in the Cincinnati neighborhood of South Fairmount. He had been shot through the left side of his face in his car on Horton Street. According to court documents, Spears, who is homeless, told police she was present when Wallace shot Troxell. She told police Wallace was going to rob Troxell and that she helped him hide at one of her relative's apartments. Spears faces one count of murder. Troxell, a plumber in Frankfort, was engaged to be married and had a 6-month-old daughter. Police have not disclosed a motive in the slaying, or said what led them to the suspects