CRESTVIEW — Judge Michael A. Flowers sentenced Damanta Jamar Murphy, 20, of Crestview, to 45 years in the Department of Corrections following two separate jury trial convictions for robbery with a weapon, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The most recent jury verdict was on April 14, 2016, for the Aug. 4, 2012, robbery of the 87 Depot gas station in Crestview. Murphy entered the gas station and pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the clerk and demanded money, according to Eddins’ office. Murphy then jumped over the counter and continued to point the weapon at the clerk. Murphy took all the money from the register and additional money below it. His identity was obscured by large sunglasses worn across the middle of his face. He was also wearing a hat.
Murphy was also convicted by an Okaloosa County Jury on Feb. 9 of robbery with a weapon. In that case, Murphy had robbed a Tom Thumb gas station on Sept. 15, 2012, according to Eddins’ office. He used the same BB gun in that robbery.
Both robberies were caught on video.
Testimony at both trials established that law enforcement developed Murphy as a suspect and brought him to the police station for questioning.
Murphy, who was 17 at the time, admitted to robbing Tom Thumb, 87 Depot, and other locations in Crestview with a BB gun, according to Eddins’ office. Murphy gave consent for law enforcement to search his bedroom, where a BB gun and clothing items worn in some of the robberies were located.
The investigation was conducted by the Crestview Police Department. The trials were held before Circuit Judge Michael A. Flowers, and Assistant State Attorney Clifton Drake prosecuted both cases at trial.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man gets 45 years for robbery with a weapon