A Florida man accused of robbery was found guilty of using a weapon to rob two beachgoers at Daytona last year. The 38-year-old man was convicted after an hour and a half jury deliberation and immediately sentenced to 25 years in prison on the felony offense. At least 10 years of the sentence must be served before any consideration is given for parole.
Long prison sentences are not uncommon with robbery convictions, especially when a gun is involved in the theft. Robbery convictions may also be accompanied by sentences requiring probation, counseling, fines and victim restitution.
Police records stated that the accused robber approached a couple sitting on the sand near the Daytona Beach boardwalk on Memorial Day 2011. The alleged thief grabbed a purse from one victim.
Victims testified that the robber pointed a gun at the head of one person as he instructed the pair to get down. With the weapon pointed at one victim's back, the robber told the couple to stay in a horizontal position for 50 seconds.
Officials said the gunman had a girlfriend who used a credit card from the victim's stolen purse to make a purchase at a nearby convenience store, minutes after the robbery. The store's surveillance camera picked up video of the woman and the apparent assailant. Police tracked, arrested and charged the suspect within days.
The man convicted of robbing the Daytona Beach couple will be approaching age 50 when his minimum sentence is served.
In this case, defense attorneys will likely attempt negotiate with prosecutors and fight to reduce their clients' hardships, like bail or prison time. Criminal defense attorneys will strive to guard the legal rights of their clients charged with serious crimes to make sure evidence presented at trial is factual, relevant and complete.
Source: articles.orlandosentinenl.com, "Armed robber gets 25 years for attacking couple in Daytona Beach," Kevin P. Connolly, July 19, 2012
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