Today one man was convicted and another was acquitted of a jewellery heist committed on July 23 of 2007. 20 year old Burley Card and 21 year old Leon Garcia were charged for the armed robbery of more than $8,000 in valuables from Edith’s Jewellery at the corner of George and Orange Streets. The men entered the store with masks and point a gun at the cashier.
It was all caught on camera and investigations led police to Card and Garcia – as well as a house where police found two pieces of the stolen jewellery. A few pieces of jewellery were also found at the home of Burley Card’s mother. But it was far from a slam dunk in court as Magistrate Sharon Frazer acquitted both men of handling stolen goods. She also acquitted Leon Garcia of robbery but convicted Burley Card.
She sentenced him to 6 years in jail. Neither man took the stand in their defense but Leon Garcia’s mother testified that her son was home sleeping at the time.
And though Leon Garcia beat this rap, he is still in jail tonight where he is serving 5 years for another robbery conviction and 2 years for a handling stolen goods conviction. He is also awaiting trial for a prohibited firearm charge. The now convicted Burley Card is awaiting trial for another robbery. He plans to appeal today’s conviction.
