Before they were arrested for

armed robbery, murder and a host of other charges, identical twins Melvin

and Marvin Mitchell led a different life, according to their mother.

In the twins' bond hearing

Monday, Lori Mitchell told the court her sons were ordained ministers

for the Kingdom Builders Christian Center in Norcross.

"They are evangelists,"

Mrs. Mitchell said. "They minister to young teenagers."

Now those ministers are accused

of armed robbery, kidnapping and murder relating to the armed holdup of

a Fayetteville grocery store, the ensuing police chase and the death of

an innocent motorist when that chase ended in a violent collision.

Showing little emotion, Mrs.

Mitchell told the court of her sons' business partnership, which consisted

of cleaning the floors of stores such as Big Lots and Wal-Mart. Melvin

and Marvin, who went to school in Gwinnett County but only reached the

11th grade, were subcontractors for a cleaning company, she said.

Joy Robinson Mitchell, Melvin

Mitchell's wife, said they had married three months ago and lived in an

apartment in midtown Atlanta. Now, she lives with her mother but if Melvin

were granted bond he would live with her, she said.

The twins' brother, Michael,

joined them in their ministry, he told The Citizen in an interview after

the hearing.

"We hold weekly Bible

studies at skating rinks," to attract young people "and anybody

who will listen to the gospel," Michael Mitchell said.

The Mitchells were ordained

the following January, Michael Mitchell said.

"They're doing ministry

now in jail," he added. "Getting people saved and preaching

the gospel."

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