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Fay Observer
December 21, 2014
Cedric Theodis Hobbs Jr. will spend the rest of his life in prison after jurors deadlocked Thursday on his punishment for killing Kyle Harris during a pawnshop robbery four years ago.
Because the 12-member jury reached an impasse, Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Robert Floyd Jr. sentenced Hobbs to life in prison without parole.
Hobbs, 33, was convicted Dec. 12 of first-degree murder in the Nov. 6, 2010, shooting death of Harris at Cumberland Pawn Shop on Grove Street.
Jurors deliberated for nearly three hours and 40 minutes over two days on whether to sentence Hobbs to death or life in prison. Members remained deadlocked Thursday with 11 favoring death, according to two jurors and District Attorney Billy West. The remaining juror told fellow jurors he could no longer fairly consider the death penalty.
The jury’s binding recommendation to the court must be unanimous.
Hobbs was given the opportunity to speak before being taken from the courtroom. Cheryl Harris turned away in her seat, refusing to make eye contact with the man who killed her son.
Standing and facing the Harris family, Hobbs spoke in low tones, which were often hard to understand.
“I apologize most to Mrs. Harris’ family,” he said. “I know they don’t want to hear me talking. I know they probably think I’m just a monster without a heart who don’t care. I can see they are good people. I can also put myself in that position because I would want restitution. Even though I know I don’t deserve any type of sympathy, I ask for forgiveness from the family and everybody here that hates me right now.”
Cheryl Harris attended the trial each day after it got underway with jury selection on Oct. 20. Family and friends testified the death of her youngest child has been devastating to her.
“He’s got life without parole. I wanted him in isolation,” said Harris, 58. “I was hoping for the death penalty because they would never kill him. You know this state’s legal system. I just wanted him in isolation.
“He’s just going to live.”
Two jurors, who both served as foremen during the trial, said they were frustrated with the outcome.
“I feel like a loser. A total loser,” Tony Flores, 57, said before heading for the elevator at the Cumberland County Courthouse.
“We could have had it done Wednesday. We had one person on the fence,” said Joshua O’Hara, 30. “We wanted justice to be served for the family. I don’t think it’s right for him to watch his child (Storm, 4) grow from prison, and Mrs. Harris only live with memories and a tombstone.”
Though acknowledging the sentence as a victory for the defense, lawyer Lisa Miles was quick to add, “Everything’s so sad. Sure, we’re relieved, of course. We’re sad for everybody.”
Hobbs, who had appeared apprehensive earlier, exhibited a vague sense of relief as he was sentenced.
