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Convenience store murder suspect receives lengthy prison sentence

Desi Thomas sentenced in Harry Briggs murder
Posted at 3:45 PM, Jun 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-28 15:45:25-04

INDIANAPOLIS — The man accused of shooting an Indianapolis convenience store clerk during a 2014 robbery will spend more than 50 years in prison.

26-year-old Desi Thomas was sentenced to 52 years in prison and five years in community corrections by Marion County Judge Grant Hawkins, Friday.

According to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Thomas pleaded guilty to the June 4, 2014 murder of Harry Briggs.

At the time the plea agreement was filed, Prosecutor Terry Curry stated, “Pursuant to this agreement, Desi Thomas, Jr. has accepted responsibility for the senseless killing of Harry Briggs that occurred more than five years ago. This resolution meets the wishes of the Briggs family, and provides finality on the lengthy process of this criminal matter."

Briggs was found shot to death at the Joe's Junction convenience store and gas station on West Troy Avenue and Lynhurst Drive. He was working as a cashier when he was murdered.

Security video showed a suspect identified as Thomas committing the robbery and shooting Briggs. The suspect can then be seen skipping away from the business.

Thomas was arrested six weeks after the murder.