Two MS men sentenced to life in prison in South Mississippi armed robbery & murder
A Circuit Court judge Thursday sentenced two men to life in prison plus 20 years for the murder of a Gulfport man during a drug deal gone bad.
A jury in January convicted Erick Tyrie Hunt, 28, of Jackson, and Richard “Draco” Norman III, 32, of Gulfport, of first-degree murder in the June 27, 2022, shooting death of Anthony Lavern Oatis, 30, of Gulfport. The murder occurred during a drug deal turned armed robbery, according to the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Lisa Dodson imposed the sentences Thursday.
A third defendant, Eric Chopin, previously pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter. His sentencing is pending, the DA’s Office said in a release.
A witness, then 15, told police that the shooting happened after he and Oatis went to meet the three defendants on 31st Street in Gulfport to buy some marijuana.
Oatis was shot and killed during a struggle over a gun, and the teen was robbed at gunpoint for his cellphone and cash, the release said.
The judge imposed the sentence after considering statements provided by the victims. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Burrell and Jason Josef prosecuted the case.
“We want to commend the Gulfport Police Department in their tireless efforts in investigating these crimes and apprehending the defendants,” District Attorney Crosby Parker said in a release. “This case is a great example of hard work and multiple law enforcement agencies assisting each other in locating the responsible parties. “
