TYLER (KYTX) -- One of the Tyler teens accused in a violent gas station robbery got an unexpected reprieve Tuesday. Jury selection for 17-year-old Jamon Taylor's trial started Monday, but now prosecutors say they want more time because their key witness is in Pakistan.
In January, four teens allegedly went into the Conoco gas station in the 2700 block of West Gentry to try to steal cigarettes. Prosecutors say they bashed the owner, Nazir Kazmi, over the head before they took off. Kazmi was supposed to be the key witness in Taylor's trial, which was going to start this week.
That gas station was recently cleaned out and abandoned. Prosecutors in the case say just last week it was up and running, and Kazmi was still in town.
"We would just ask for a brief continuance under the assumption that this victim is returning within a week," Smith County Assistant District Attorney Jason Parrish said to Judge Jack Skeen Jr.
Parrish said that Kazmi had been otherwise cooperative throughout the six-month investigation, and that he was puzzled when Kazmi left town and didn't tell the District Attorney's office.
Parrish said he didn't find out Kazmi was gone until they'd already assembled a jury and the trial was about to start. Parrish had Kazmi's son testify Tuesday that his dad's brother had a heart attack, and that his dad would be back within a week.
Judge Skeen was clearly mindful of that fact that there's at least a possibility that Kazmi could stay in Pakistan. He told the state that if Kazmi is not ready to go in two weeks, he won't get any additional chances.
If that happens then Taylor will essentially receive his "get out of jail free" card. He'll be out on a personal recognizance bond until the state finds another way to prove its case.
Jury selection for Taylor's trial has been re-set for July 24th. Testimony is supposed to begin July 25th.
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TYLER (TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH) - A 17-year-old Tyler man accused of beating up and robbing a convenience store owner in January, along with three other men, will go to trial in the Smith County 241st District Court this morning.
Jamon Nicholas Taylor is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony, and robbery, a second-degree felony. Taylor is in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $550,000.
The robbery took place at the Conoco convenience store at Van Highway and West Gentry Parkway on Jan. 27, Don Martin, Tyler police spokesman, said.
"Two of the suspects confronted the owner behind the counter and struck him and beat him down to the ground with their fists, and the others were grabbing several packs of cigarettes," Martin said.
Martin said in January the store owner was beaten and bruised and needed medical attention for lacerations, but was OK.
"He's a little shaken up by the ordeal, but not seriously injured," he said.
Martin identified the other men as Steven Ray Sadler, 18; Michael Avory Hayles, 17; and Prince Kentrell Hull, 18.
Sadler is in the Smith County- Jail on bonds totaling $805,000 on charges of robbery, evading arrest and engaging in organized criminal activity. Hayles, 18, is jailed on charges of robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity on bonds totaling $550,000, and Hull, 19, also is jailed on robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity charges on bonds totaling $550,000.
(Jamon Nicholas Taylor)
