Patrick Carmody was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree felony murder and especially aggravated robbery in Judge Barry Steelman’s courtroom on Friday.
He was charged with the slaying of 21-year-old Chance LeCroy on Sept. 9, 2010.
The state’s account of the incident claimed that Carmody, Ronald Pittman, and Billy Bob Partin
traveled in a stolen truck to Academy Sports to buy supplies before entering LeCroy’s house while he and his roommate were sleeping.
They said the suspects intended to rob LeCroy of marijuana and cash.
The state said that during the robbery, LeCroy was beaten by Carmody, fracturing his skull with blows to the head by the butt of a gun. They said LeCroy fought for his life and was shot two times while his roommate was held at gunpoint in the living room.
After the robbery, the state believes the suspects returned to Harbor Lights property to dispose of
evidence.
After three full days of trial, the jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon. They came to a verdict of guilty on both charges at about 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
Judge Steelman set a court date of July 25 for Carmody’s sentencing on the count of especially aggravated robbery.
Upon hearing the sentence of life in prison for the first-degree felony murder, LeCroy’s relatives and friends wept openly, finally receiving the closure they have sought for the past six years.