Dudley accused of holding up store with BB gun
The trial of a man accused of holding up a convenience store with a BB gun commenced Wednesday more than three years after the reported robbery occurred.
Robert Steven Dudley, 39, is charged with aggravated robbery a first degree felony in connection with a Dec. 2, 2008, report from the Chevron convenience store, 4117 Andrews Highway. He could face between five to 99 years or life in prison if convicted of the crime enhanced to a first-degree felony.
Mike Liverett, who was a detective with the Odessa Police Department at the time, said during his testimony that photos from the store made it look like Dudley had a .45-caliber pistol on him.
However, after executing search warrants, Liverett said officers entered two BB guns that resembled real guns into evidence.
Jackie Rudloff, the manager of the store, said the six cameras that were in the store were able to catch photos of the others who helped Dudley with the robbery.
Although Dudley agreed to give police officers an interview, he said very little other than proclaiming his own innocence.
Defense attorney Tom Hirsch objected to the video, saying that 31 out of 33 minutes of a police officer talking is not an interview when Dudley only spoke for two minutes or fewer.
Prosecutor Scott Layh made the counterargument that Miranda Rights were read to Dudley and the interview should be admitted. Judge James Rush agreed with Layh and allowed the video to be shown.
Dudley was also accused of escaping or attempting to escape the Ector County Detention Center multiple times, but those charges are not at issue in this trial and may only be brought up during a possible punishment phase.
The trial will continue at 9 a.m. today Wednesday in the 244th District Court.
