25 YEARS IN PRISON SENTENCE HANDED DOWN THURSDAY

  

A Houston man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after a hearing Thursday in District court in Brenham.  Judge Reva Towslee Corbett sentenced Eric Denzel Latin to 25 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery in 2018.  Latin will have to serve half of the sentence before he become eligible for parole because the victim was over the age of 65.

During the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented regarding Latin’s history as a drug dealer, including multiple marihuana and weapons convictions.  District Attorney Julie Renken said that 25 years was more that appropriate for his crime, adding that he tried to minimize his involvement in every conviction.

Latin was arrested by Brenham Police in April of 2018 when he and a co-defendant attempted to steal a purse from a woman loading her groceries in the Walmart parking lot.  The robbery was witnessed by citizen who followed Latin and his partner until they were arrested by authorities.

Full Press Release:

25 YEAR SENTENCE AFTER AGGRAVATED ROBBERY JURY TRIAL

BRENHAM, TEXAS, October 11, 2019 – Eric Denzel Latin, 26, of Houston, was sentenced after a hearing yesterday to 25 years in prison.  Latin was found guilty of Aggravated Robbery by a jury in June.  Judge Reva Towslee Corbett presided over the trial and hearing.  District Attorney Julie Renken and Assistant District Attorney Derek Estep represented the State at trial, and Calvin Garvie represented the Defendant.

Aggravated Robbery is a first degree felony punishable by 5-99 years, or life in prison.  The offense of Robbery is committed when a victim is injured during a theft.  Robbery becomes Aggravated Robbery if a deadly weapon is used, or as in this case, the victim is over the age of 65.  Due to the offense being ‘aggravated’, Latin will have to serve half the sentence before being parole eligible.

During the hearing evidence was presented regarding Latin’s history as a drug dealer, including multiple marihuana and weapons convictions.  Latin was also placed on juvenile probation for 2 counts of aggravated robbery committed less than 2 weeks before his 17th birthday.  Latin testified on his own behalf confirming that he sold marihuana.  Screenshots of Latin’s facebook status from 6 weeks before the robbery were presented to the judge and highlighted in closing argument.  The status update was one word, “Heartless”.

At closing Estep pointed recounted the evidence from trial, and pointed to Latin’s refusal to accept responsibility for the crime.  “Eric Latin is a heartless drug dealer, his words, not mine.” Estep continued, “And I cannot think of a better word to describe robbing an elderly women, looking back at her lying in the parking lot, and driving off.”

After the trial, Renken commented, “12 jurors heard the evidence and believed Eric Latin was guilty of Aggravated Robbery.  25 years is more than appropriate for his crime.”  Renken also commented on his lack of responsibility, “He minimized his involvement in every single conviction.  He blamed other people, including victims, and never owned up to any of it.  But the jury held him accountable, and now the judge has too.”

Latin was arrested after a brief pursuit on April 29, 2018.  He, and a co-defendant, were in a vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot on a Sunday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m.  Latin, the driver, stopped the car behind the victim, who was parked in a handicap spot loading her groceries.  Latin’s passenger got out of the car and pulled the victim’s purse off her arm knocking her to the ground.  He got back in the car and the two fled the parking lot toward Highway 290, and ultimately, Houston.  The robbery was witnessed by a citizen who was driving immediately behind Latin.  She called 911 and followed Latin until they were apprehended by law enforcement.