Philipsburg:--- The brother of murder victim Michael King told reporters on Wednesday at the Court of First Instance that he wanted to put some of the rumors to rest regarding his brother and the Dabouls. Todd King said that his brother and his wife Thelma did not sign any business contract with the Dabouls (Toppers) prior to their death. He said parties were discussing the possibility of starting a business but no contract was signed at the time. Todd said he and his brother met that whole weekend at the beach and he outlined the plans he had for the company and how the operating agreement would have been written up. Todd further explained that he was helping his brother with the preparation of that agreement.
King said after his brother died he contacted the Dabouls and asked them what had changed in the agreement and they assured him that nothing had changed and only recently the King families signed a business agreement with the Dabouls. Todd King said what people are saying are pure speculations but he confirmed to SMN News that discussions were taking place between his brother and the Dabouls.
Melanie Daboul who was also present during the proceedings also said they have been doing business with Michael and Thelma King for quite some time and there was absolutely no contract signed for the rum factory prior to the death of the Kings.
Another clarification the Kings made was concerning the drugs Jeremiah Chevon Mills told the court that he took from the King's safe on September 19th, 2012 when he went to their condominium and robbed them. Todd said his brother and his wife never did drugs. "Inside that bag they stole had all Thelma's jewelry that valued about $70,000.00." Todd King said the package Mills described could not fit in the safe because the safe is very small. He further explained that if Mills had found drugs in the safe and sold it he would have shared that money with the other suspects. When SMN News asked Todd what kind of work his late brother did to earn his living prior to coming to St. Maarten, he said Michael and Thelma owned a labeling company which they sold. Todd said Michael King was on retirement and he was planning to invest his monies in a rum factory on St. Maarten.
Melanie Daboul said when she was informed by Todd that one of the suspects Jamal Jefferson Woolford worked for Toppers Restaurant she was shocked because in her mind that was not the case. Melanie said she then checked with her administrators and it turned out that Woolford did work for them in February 2012 at Toppers by the Sea. She said that she never met Woolford and did not know him because during that same period of time she had given birth to her baby and she was not working. She further explained that her husband Topper Daboul also did not know the suspect Jamal Jefferson Woolford because the young man worked at nights. She further explained that Woolford only worked 12 shifts in the course of six weeks. She said Woolford was given a three month contract but left for another job.
Michael King's mother Sally Gripkey told SMN News that what has happened to her son is like a nightmare for her, to her it is like a dream and she still thinks that she would wake up one day and her son and daughter in law would be there. When asked by SMN News how the trial on Tuesday affected her she said they knew about the case for a while now and none of it was a surprise to her. At the two day hearing, two of Michael King's brothers, his mother, and a sister of Thelma King were among those that came to St. Maarten to witness the proceedings.