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Eyewitness killer jailed for life Eyewitness killer jailed for life
(10 minutes later)
A robber has been jailed for life for shooting dead a witness to an armed robbery at a building society.A robber has been jailed for life for shooting dead a witness to an armed robbery at a building society.
Lynton Fletcher, 27, of Nechells, Birmingham, was convicted of murdering Joseph Nwabuko, despite denying any involvement in his death.Lynton Fletcher, 27, of Nechells, Birmingham, was convicted of murdering Joseph Nwabuko, despite denying any involvement in his death.
Mr Nwabuko, 28, from Walsall, West Midlands, was shot after a raid on a Nationwide branch in central Birmingham in 2004, the city's crown court heard.Mr Nwabuko, 28, from Walsall, West Midlands, was shot after a raid on a Nationwide branch in central Birmingham in 2004, the city's crown court heard.
Fletcher was convicted of conspiracy to rob at a previous hearing.Fletcher was convicted of conspiracy to rob at a previous hearing.
Mr Nwabuko, a student, saw Fletcher, of Little Francis Grove, and his gang rob the branch and then followed them as they tried to escape. Mr Nwabuko, a student, saw Fletcher, of Little Francis Grove, and his gang carry out the raid.
They made a conscious decision to shoot members of the public Det Supt Keith WilsonThey made a conscious decision to shoot members of the public Det Supt Keith Wilson
Fletcher pulled out a gun and shot him dead. Fletcher was about to flee in a getaway car, when he went over to Mr Nwabuko and shot him at close range in the chest.
The gang had been responsible for a number of armed robberies across the Midlands over a period of two years during which seven other people were shot.The gang had been responsible for a number of armed robberies across the Midlands over a period of two years during which seven other people were shot.
Only Lynton Fletcher stood trial for Mr Nwabuko's murder, although police said other gang members had been targeted and charged with various offences.Only Lynton Fletcher stood trial for Mr Nwabuko's murder, although police said other gang members had been targeted and charged with various offences.
Joseph Nwabuko is thought to have used a cash machine nearbyDet Supt Keith Wilson of West Midlands Police said Mr Nwabuko's murder was "cold and callous".Joseph Nwabuko is thought to have used a cash machine nearbyDet Supt Keith Wilson of West Midlands Police said Mr Nwabuko's murder was "cold and callous".
"They had secured what they came for, but they decided to turn on an innocent victim and shoot him dead."They had secured what they came for, but they decided to turn on an innocent victim and shoot him dead.
"I would describe them simply as evil. They made a conscious decision to shoot members of the public.""I would describe them simply as evil. They made a conscious decision to shoot members of the public."
The jury, who convicted Fletcher of murder by a 10-2 majority verdict after a six-week trial, heard how Mr Nwabuko was shot in the lungs at close range outside the building society in High Street. The jury, who convicted Fletcher of murder by a 10-2 majority verdict after a six-week trial.
Timothy Spencer QC, prosecuting, said who the ruthless use of firearms, which were used even after money had been handed over, was part of the gangs hallmark.Timothy Spencer QC, prosecuting, said who the ruthless use of firearms, which were used even after money had been handed over, was part of the gangs hallmark.
The gang escaped with £7,000 after the raidFletcher shot Mr Nwabuko, even though he had the chance to escape after taking £7,000 from the building society.The gang escaped with £7,000 after the raidFletcher shot Mr Nwabuko, even though he had the chance to escape after taking £7,000 from the building society.
CCTV images show Fletcher coming within inches of getting into a stolen getaway car parked near a walkway to New Street station before turning and targeting Mr Nwabuko.CCTV images show Fletcher coming within inches of getting into a stolen getaway car parked near a walkway to New Street station before turning and targeting Mr Nwabuko.
Speaking after the sentencing Joseph's brother, Johnson Nwabuko, said it was an emotional time for the family.Speaking after the sentencing Joseph's brother, Johnson Nwabuko, said it was an emotional time for the family.
"The verdict is not going to bring Joseph back however he can rest in peace and I do believe justice has been done."The verdict is not going to bring Joseph back however he can rest in peace and I do believe justice has been done.
"My family have gone through a lot of suffering in the last four years and to be honest I did not think we would come to this day.""My family have gone through a lot of suffering in the last four years and to be honest I did not think we would come to this day."
Sentencing Fletcher to life Mr Justice Ouseley called it a cold and brutal killing of a witness and also praised the bravery of two members of the public who attempted to tackle members of the gang during two other robberies.Sentencing Fletcher to life Mr Justice Ouseley called it a cold and brutal killing of a witness and also praised the bravery of two members of the public who attempted to tackle members of the gang during two other robberies.
Fletcher will be sentenced to for the conspiracy charge at a hearing in December.Fletcher will be sentenced to for the conspiracy charge at a hearing in December.