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
Local news
Testimony begins in robbery trial
- Local news
-
-
Veterans, community remember the fallen
Wesley Carroll lives on, but countless numbers of his friends and family have been laid to rest after their service in conflicts dating as far back as the 18th century....
-
Deputies arrest 10
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests in a Saturday night and early Sunday morning saturation patrol....
-
Troopers release name in Thunderbird drowning
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have released the deceased’s name in a weekend drowning at Lake Thunderbird....
-
Holiday fun
Sunday wasn’t just another church night at Harvest Church. The church’s pre-Memorial Day fellowship event featured a monster truck show, bike stunts and fireworks, among other things....
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
