Published: September 26, 2007 12:21 am            

Testimony begins in robbery trial

By Tom Blakey

Transcript Staff Writer

A woman who, for almost 10 years, owned and operated Chateau Wine and Spirits at 316 W. Main St. in Moore was the first witness for the prosecution Tuesday, in the retrial of Kendall Dewayne Carr, charged with first-degree robbery by force and fear in the April 19, 2004, robbery of the liquor store.

Liquor store owner Ha Phan, who sold the establishment earlier this year, testified Carr entered the liquor store and told Phan he worked for a security company and was there to repair a malfunctioning alarm system.

When Phan said she didn't believe him and told him she was going to call the alarm company supervisor, Carr grabbed her and forced her to lock the front door, Phan said.

Phan described being dragged up and down the aisles of the liquor store by the back of her hair, while Carr demanded cash and threatened to kill her. Phan identified a walkie-talkie Carr allegedly brought into the store, and said she thinks it was used to strike her “hard” in the back of the head.

Meanwhile, while she was being assaulted and threatened, Phan said she was able to activate two panic buttons, one in the store office and one near the cash register under the front counter.

Phan said Carr made her lie down behind the counter, pulled the cash tray from the register, placed it on the floor and began stuffing cash into his pockets. He also took a Rolex watch from her, Phan said.

Moore police responded to the alarm, and Phan said Carr ordered her to unlock the front door and tell police everything was all right inside the store.

Phan said she unlocked the door, then bolted outside running toward police.

Carr was arrested outside the store, police said.

Phan’s testimony followed opening remarks by Assistant District Attorney Michael Tupper and defense attorney Doug Smith, assisted by Assistant District Attorney Susan Caswell.

District Judge Tom Lucas is presiding over the jury trial.

Phan’s testimony is expected to resume at 8:30 a.m. today, as prosecutors attempt to build their case against Carr,

Norman attorney Doug Smith is expected to present witnesses in Carr’s defense, after the state rests its case.

Tom Blakey366-3540tblakey@normantranscript.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.