| Charge description: |
A jury convicted Krista Antoinette Wright of Aggravated Robbery on December 5, 2016 after which the court sentenced her to 25 years in prison. The 40-year old Stafford woman was indicted for the violent robbery of a nail salon technician in May 2015. According to Mandana Mahmoudi, lead prosecutor on the case, Wright was a long-time customer of a nail technician at a Missouri City salon. While the salons manager was out of town, the technician had extra duties, including collecting payments until they were deposited. The defendant had visited the salon during the managers absence, was aware that they were short-staffed, and likely observed the woman collecting payments. On May 1, 2015, Wright visited the salon when it opened. While she got her nails done, the defendant asked the technician about her plans for the evening and the whereabouts of her relatives which the woman thought was friendly conversation. Some nine hours later, Wright returned to the salon as her technician and a coworker were closing and walking out. Wright first said she returned because there was something wrong with her nails, but then said her car broke down and asked for a ride home. The technician considered Wright a friend and agreed to give her a ride home. When they arrived at a home in the Hunters Glen subdivision of Missouri City, Wright produced a knife and stabbed the woman repeatedly. The defendant threatened to shoot her victim if she attempted to flee. The woman was shocked and believed that Wright would continue to harm her, even though she didnt believe that Wright had a gun. Wright took control of the car and drove through Missouri City, Stafford, and Houston, while her victim begged to be released. Wright demanded that the woman withdraw cash from ATMs, but the victim did not know her PIN. She instead offered her car, her purse and personal property, and cash from the salon. In an act of desperation, and still bleeding from her stab wounds, the victim opened the car door and tried to escape while the defendant was still driving. Wright was able to restrain the woman, who suffered severe abrasive injuries to her arms, legs, and feet as a result. Wright finally stopped in a poorly lit area, while her victim pretended to be dead. Wright pulled the woman out of the car by her legs, causing her head to hit the pavement. Wright then dragged her behind a dumpster and repeatedly stabbed her before leaving in the womans car with her phone, purse, and the salons money. The victim didnt make a sound as Wright stabbed her because she wanted Wright to believe that she was dead. Left for dead, the nail technician got to her feet once she heard the car leave. She was able to flag down two women who stopped their car and called 911. They described the woman as bloody all over, like something out of a movie. EMS and police arrived to finally end the nights ordeal. From her initial contact with the good Samaritans and 911, through the investigation and at trial, the victim identified the defendant as Kris, her friend. Wrights family members were also her customers and the women were connected through social media, which the victim used to help law enforcement identify Wright as her attacker. Wright was arrested exactly one month later. Wrights attorney argued at trial that there was no physical evidence to tie her to the crime and that the investigation was based solely upon the victims statement. In closing, Assistant District Attorney Mahmoudi described Wright as a predator who abused her victims trust, separated and isolated her, violently attacked her and threatened her family, then robbed her and dumped her body behind a dumpster. We dont tell victims that we wont hold predators accountable because there is no video or DNA, said Mahmoudi. We ask victims to testify in court, to face the person who hurt them violently, and to be cross-examined by an experienced professional. But we also tell victims that our jurors have sworn an oath to follow the law that one witness can be enough to convict an accused. Wright was tried in the 434th District Court before Presiding Judge James H. Shoemake. Aggravated Robbery is a first-degree felony punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Wright was probation eligible, but now must serve at least half of her 25-year sentence before she can be considered for parole. Assistant District Attorneys Mandana Mahmoudi and Richa Kumar prosecuted the case. Attorney David Stiller represented the defendant. |
