PENSACOLA — An Okaloosa County jury convicted Damanta Jamar Murphy, 20, of Crestview, of robbery with a weapon on April 14, according to a State Attorney's office media release.
On Aug. 4, 2012, Murphy entered the 87 Depot gas station in Crestview and pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the clerk and demanded money, according to the release.
"Murphy then jumped over the counter and continued to point the weapon at the clerk. Murphy took all the money from the register as well as additional money that was below it. His identity was obscured by large sunglasses worn across the middle of his face. He was also wearing a hat," the release stated.
On Feb. 9, Murphy was also convicted of robbery with a weapon by an Okaloosa County jury for the Sept. 15, 2012 robbery of a Tom Thumb gas station, using the same BB gun. 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.
According to the report, Murphy, who was 17 at the time, admitted to robbing Tom Thumb, 87 Depot, and other locations in Crestview with a BB gun. He gave consent for law enforcement to search his bedroom, where a BB gun as well as clothing items worn in some of the robberies were located.
Sentencing for both cases is 1:30 p.m. May 5 before Circuit Judge Michael A. Flowers. Both convictions carry a possible maximum sentence of 30 years, for a total of 60 years.
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 convicted of robberies could get 60 years