LODI, Calif. (KNX) – A Lodi man was found guilty in the 2018 death of a podiatrist, who the man blamed for his wife’s death.
Robert Elmo Lee was convicted of “first-degree murder with a special circumstance of murder for financial gain” for his part in the murder of Dr. Thomas Shock on March 24, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
According to a search warrant, on Aug. 1, 2018, Lodi police responded to a report of three gunshots. They said Dr. Shock was found lying in the doorway of his residence on Rivergade Drive.
Police noted a handwritten document was found next to Dr. Shock’s body. In the note, it detailed a patient identified as “B.L.” Further investigation revealed that the document was referring to Bonnie Lee, a patient of Dr. Shock and Robert’s wife.
She went to see Dr. Shock regarding an ingrown toenail. Dr. Shock had Lee’s foot “partially amputated” in 2014 and the case was closed in 2016, during which time Dr. Shock had been "disciplined" by the medical board.
It was also that year that Lee died from an infection, but it is unclear if the amputation had anything to do with it.
The search warrant noted that John Fairchild, a friend of Robert Lee, who said a year prior to Dr. Shock’s death, Lee blamed Dr. Shock for his wife’s death but “never threatened to hurt him.”
During a search warrant in Lee’s house, Lee told officers he was glad Dr. Shock was dead.
An investigation led to three other men - Raymond Jacquett IV, Christopher Costello and Mallory Stewart – being involved in the murder. Jacquett and Costello plead guilty in connection to Dr. Shock’s death. Lee was deemed responsible for “orchestrating the murder”, while prosecutors said Jacquett was the “getaway driver” and Stewartwas the “shooter.”
Jacquett was sentenced in December 2021 while Costello was found guilty in 2021.
Lee and Stewart will face sentencing on May 16, 2022.
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