A
Houston man was convicted of capital murder for his role in robbing and
shooting a customer at a south Houston convenience store during a 2015
robbery,
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Friday.
“When
someone uses a gun to try to rob and steal, they make a decision that
could end a life,” Ogg said. “That kind of callousness will be met with
serious
charges, passionate prosecutors and severe punishment.”
Eric Anderson, 27, was convicted Thursday after a week-long trial, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Ogg
noted the victim, Joe Hillsman, was a well-known customer at the Food
To Go store in the 2900 block of Almeda Genoa, where he was killed. He
stopped
by the store almost daily to buy lottery tickets.
“This
is horrific case of violence perpetrated on a man who was just trying
to go shopping at the neighborhood store he went to every day,” Ogg
said. “People
deserve to feel safe in their community.”
Hillsman,
37, was an employee of the City of Houston. He was on surveillance
video talking to the store clerk about 9:30 p.m. on December 15, 2015.
Video
shows two men walk in and charge Hillsman. One is in a ski mask and the
other, who was later identified as Anderson, is wearing a red shirt and
patterned
pants. Both had guns. Anderson can be seen pointing a 9mm handgun in
Hillsman’s face. The store clerk said Anderson shouted “Give it up!” and
began to fight with Hillsman. During the altercation, Hillsman was shot
in the side by the other man.
After
the surveillance video was broadcast on local news a day later, a
witness identified Anderson and called police. He was later arrested.
Investigators
are still collecting evidence to find and arrest the second man.
Assistant
District Attorney James O’Donnell, who prosecuted the case with ADA
Jason Sanchez, said it was unclear if Hillsman had been targeted because
he
was a frequent customer or if it was a random crime of opportunity.
“It
was a tragic circumstance and the whole thing happened in 12 seconds,”
O’Donnell said. “Joe’s legacy lives on with the love of his family. They
were
in the courtroom throughout the trial to see that justice was done.”
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