Sentencing in multiple armed robberies postponed

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June 16, 2012

Sentencing in multiple armed robberies postponed

By BRAD KELLAR CNHI The Herald-Banner Sat Jun 16, 2012, 10:43 AM CDT

GREENVILLE — A Commerce man will have to wait a few more days to learn what sentence he will receive in connection with multiple armed hold-ups in Greenville.

Cody Robert Morris was scheduled to be sentenced Friday on three counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, during a hearing in the 354th District Court. Instead, Judge Richard A. Beacom reset the punishment hearing for next Thursday, June 21.

Morris, 21, of Commerce and Nicholas Allen Campbell of Gotha, Fla. were each indicted by the Hunt County grand jury in December involving the robberies.

Morris entered open pleas of guilty during an April 25 hearing to the three indictments of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. An open plea means no plea bargain agreement had been arranged in the case and that Morris is subject to the full range of punishment.

Aggravated robbery is a first degree felony, punishable upon conviction by a maximum sentence of from five to 99 years to life in prison.

Campbell pleaded guilty in March to all three indictments. Under a plea bargain arrangement, Campbell was sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. As a deadly weapon, a firearm, was found to have been used in the commission of the robberies, Campbell will have to spend at least half of the sentence, or 10 years, in prison before he can be considered for parole.

The pair were alleged in the indictments to have robbed three Greenville businesses with a handgun and/or BB pistol. Morris and Campbell were alleged to have held up the Valero store, 715 Joe Ramsey Boulevard and the Crystal Nail Spa, 5021 Wesley Street in Greenville on Sept. 6, 2011 as well as the Chevron, 3509 Wesley Street the day before.

The pair were also indicted in Rockwall County in connection with a fourth armed hold-up in Royse City.

Both suspects were arrested Sept. 9, 2011 in Commerce.