St. Maarten authorities say suspect admits involvement in murder of Mt. Pleasant couple

A suspect in the killings of Mike and Thelma King of Mount Pleasant has admitted his involvement in their murders last month on the island of St. Maarten, island prosecutors said today.

The suspect, identified by authorities as M.K.J., also has acknowledged his role in a restaurant robbery on Sept. 19, supposedly the same day the Kings were killed, authorities said.

Privacy rules prevent St. Maarten authorities from naming suspects, but local media outlets have identified the suspect in question as Meyshane Kemar Johnson, a 28-year-old security guard.

SMN News has reported that Johnson was implicated in the robbery of a Chinese restaurant on Sept. 19. Authorities reportedly found Michael King’s credit cards and cellphone inside the getaway car used in the robbery.

A judge today ordered Johnson’s continued pre-trial detention, according to a press release from the St. Maarten’s Prosecutors Office. He reportedly admitted to his involvement in the crimes on Tuesday.

A second suspect, identified as 17-year-old J.C.M., will have his custody prolonged by the prosecutor today. He will be led before a judge on Thursday who will evaluate his continued detention, prosecutors said.

Neither man has been formally charged with killing the Kings, who were found stabbed to death inside their beachfront condo Sept. 21. The Kings also owned a home in Toler’s Cove in Mount Pleasant and have family members statewide.

Funeral services for the couple will be held at 4 p.m. today at Chapin United Methodist Church, 415 Lexington Ave., in Chapin. Visitation will precede the service from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Both events have been closed to the media at the family’s request.

Check back with postandcourier.com for more details as they become available.