Closing arguments held in Armond Devega death penalty case

RALEIGH

The trial for Armond Devega, 32, has been going on for seven weeks because it involves multiple crimes. Devega is accused of killing two people, and injuring another in a Raleigh robbery and shooting spree in 2008.

One of the victims was Stephanie Anderson, a young mother who was a clerk at a Trawick Road convenience store.

Police claim Devega ambushed her when she opened the store one morning, then shot and killed her when she couldn't get the safe open.

During the trial, jurors were shown surveillance video of that murder and video of other robberies and attempted murders.

But one of Devega's attorneys told jurors Monday that despite the length of the government's case - there is no evidence of Devega's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. He added that they should feel free to ask lots of questions during deliberations.

"Send a note to the judge and ask him. Be skeptical of everything we tell you," said Jim Glover.

But prosecutors fired back in their closings, "He wants you to be skeptical. You can see with your own eyes they don't want you to believe your own eyes. You have now seen and watched Armond Devega murder Stephanie Anderson for a set of keys," said prosecutor Matt Lively.

Devega is accused of killing another man he allegedly met in jail, and shooting a third man during another robbery.

If Devega is sentenced to death, he would be the first person in Wake County to receive that fate in nearly seven years.

The jury will get legal instructions first thing Tuesday morning and then decide Devega's fate.

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