Jury convicts Lawrence man in store robbery
A Lawrence man was convicted Friday in connection with a convenience store robbery in November.
A Douglas County District Court jury deliberated several hours before returning a guilty verdict against Charles E. Smith, 56.
On Nov. 25, Smith entered the Presto convenience store, 2330 Iowa, asked for a pack of cigarettes and then demanded cash from the register. The clerk gave the money to Smith, and he fled on foot.
A surveillance camera captured Smith and the robbery on video. Smith’s attorney, James Rumsey, claimed his client’s identity was mistaken for the true robber.
Smith, whose trial began Wednesday, faces up to 11 years, four months in prison and will be sentenced Aug. 28.
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