HOUSTON MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
A Washington County Jury has sentenced a Houston man to life in prison. Morris Paul Green, 47, of Houston, was convicted by a Washington County jury Wednesday afternoon for Aggravated Robbery and Evading Arrest with a Vehicle. Greene is one of four men charge with the 2016 robbery of Felders Buy and Bye in Brenham. On Thursday the jury sentenced him to two life sentences in prison and a total of $20,000 in fines.
A number of citizens were in Felders at around 10 a.m. when Green, and 2 others came in armed, ordered the patrons on the ground and held the clerk at gunpoint. Green climbed over the counter and took the cash drawer as well as box below the counter containing approximately $30,000. Cpl. Tommy Kurrie of the Brenham Police Department quickly located the vehicle, but the fleeing suspects led law enforcement from 3 counties on a high speed chase over 20 miles down 290 before stopping in a construction area. All 4 men jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled into a field. Green was apprehended near a duffel bag containing all the stolen property from Tootsie’s. All 3 of Morris Green’s codefendants previously pled guilty and received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 29 years.
Full Press Release from the Washington County District Attorney's Office:
Morris Paul Green, 47, of Houston, was convicted by a Washington County jury Wednesday afternoon for Aggravated Robbery and Evading Arrest with a Vehicle. On Thursday the jury sentenced him to two life sentences in prison and a total of $20,000 in fines. Judge Carson Campbell presided over the trial. First Assistant District Attorney Adam Muery and Assistant District Attorney Derek Estep represented the State, and Lee Van Richardson of Hempstead represented the Defendant.
Green was charged along with 3 others for the Aggravated Robbery of the local convenience store Felder’s Buy and Bye and Tootsie’s Check Cashing on Veteran’s Day of 2016. A number of citizens were in the store drinking coffee at around 10 a.m. when Green, and 2 others came in armed, ordered the patrons on the ground and held the clerk at gunpoint. Green climbed over the counter and took the cash drawer as well as box below the counter containing approximately $30,000. Cpl. Tommy Kurrie of the Brenham Police Department quickly located the vehicle, but the fleeing suspects led law enforcement from 3 counties on a high speed chase over 20 miles down 290 before stopping in the construction just past Hegar Road. All 4 men jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled into a field. Green was apprehended near a duffel bag containing all the stolen property from Tootsie’s. All 3 of Morris Green’s codefendants previously pled guilty and received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 29 years.
When someone causes bodily injury or threatens injury during a theft, that person commits Robbery. Robbery becomes Aggravated Robbery if a firearm is used. Aggravated Robbery is a first degree felony with a punishment range of 5-99 years, or life in prison. Evading Arrest With a Vehicle is a third degree felony with a punishment range of 2-10 years in prison. Both carry up to a $10,000 fine. Due to Green’s extensive criminal history, including Louisiana convictions for Armed Robbery, Green is considered a “Habitual Felony Offender” subject to a punishment range of 25-99 year, or life in prison for both charges. He will not be eligible for parole until he has served half of his sentence, which on a life sentence is considered 60 years.
At the punishment trial, the clerk from Tootsie’s testified through tears about her fellow victims, “These men aren’t our customers, they’re like family.” The jury also heard from Virginia “Tootsie” Fisher about the robbery’s impact, and from Green’s Louisiana parole officer about his prior criminal history.
During closing argument Muery described Tootsie’s as an “icon in the community,” and described a bucolic setting where veterans can still sit and drink coffee as members of a family, “a place that doesn’t exist in Houston . . . Morris Green didn’t just steal money, he stole a bit of Brenham’s innocence.”
After the verdict, Muery explained, “Morris Green came to Brenham from Louisiana by way of Houston and, along with his codefendants, robbed a local merchant at gunpoint. Many of the men in that store served our country in war, and on Veteran’s Day were ordered to lay face down on the floor while Morris Green stole $30,000 and fled.” Regarding the ensuing police chase, Muery continued, “Their actions racing down 290 through construction and traffic could have injured or killed countless citizens, and the brave men and women of the jury punished him accordingly.”
Later, Julie Renken commented “The outstanding efforts of law enforcement can’t be praised enough.” She continued, “The Brenham Police, Washington County Sheriff’s office, and others from Waller and Harris Counties, as well as State Troopers and a DPS helicopter all combined to get these men in custody.”
On the trial Renken stated, “This robbery is an affront to justice and to our community. Life sentences are just another example of our citizens not tolerating criminals thinking they can take advantage of our small town.”