ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas — An Anderson County jury sentenced a man to life in prison for robbing a Palestine convenience store in February of 2019 and setting a customer and cashier on fire.
According to the Anderson County Criminal District Attorney, Robert Lawrence Thompson, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of arson causing bodily injury on Feb.10.
“Mr. Thompson’s actions showed a wanton disregard for human life,” said Mitchell. Mitchell further stated, “Both victims testified how his choices that day have forever changed their daily lives. Setting another human being on fire is truly horrifying. This was an intentional act. The most disturbing part of his crime is that after he started the fire and headed out the store he stopped and stared at his victims while they screamed and the customer burned."
On Feb. 21, 2019, Thompson went into the Pitt Stop on North Link Street to allegedly purchase tape. While in the store, he stole a bottle of lighter fluid. He left the store and returned thirty minutes later, displayed a weapon.
He then ordered the cashier to get behind the counter and tied her up. While doing so, a customer came to the door and forced her behind the counter as well. He then emptied the stolen can of lighter fluid on both women.
He then stole all the money in the register and set the cashier and customer on fire. He then left the store, after he paused to watch his victims burn.
The DA says he then went to Shoe Carnival in Tyler and traded out his shoes with a new pair, leaving his old shoes in the store.
Afterward, he proceeded back to Palestine. In Frankston, he ordered the driver of the car he was in to pull over so that he could burn the clothes he was wearing when he robbed the store.
According to the DA, he was apprehended at a local convenience store with the weapon in his possession.
He was later apprehended at a local convenience store with the weapon in his possession.
"A Life sentence in all three counts is appropriate for the crimes he committed.
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