One more jailed from Westwood robbery
It’s now two down and one to go as the second of three suspected bandits was sentenced this week for the home invasion robbery of a Westwood home.
The defendant, Courtney Martin, 20, entered a guilty plea Wednesday before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to the charge of aggravated robbery and was directed to serve six years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 30 percent of the sentence, meaning he will serve about 20 months before his first chance of early release.
Martin’s plea comes for his role in the robbery of George Nunley, 24, last year on Westwood Drive. Lawmen say Martin and his co-defendants forced their way into Nunley’s house wielding a shotgun and handgun.
At some point during the invasion, Nunley was pistol-whipped by one of the robbers. The men then fled with about $1,600 and a watch.
One of Martin’s co-defendants, Joshua Biles, 24, entered a guilty plea to his role in the crime last month and is serving an eight-year sentence. The third suspect, John L. Burks, 20, is docketed for court July 27.
Martin’s sentence for robbery comes after he served time for escape after making a dash from officers outside the courthouse following one of his court appearances. He was captured, still in the downtown area, minutes after he dashed down Main Street.
It was around the same time Martin was himself the victim of crime when an unidentified gunman emptied a gun into a Fair Street residence were Martin was staying. Police suspect the gunfire may have been connected to the Westwood robbery, perhaps as a warning to him. However, no arrests have been made in the drive-by shooting.