Jury Convicts Former Topeka Resident of Aggravated Burglary and First Degree Murder-Felony Murder

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today a jury convicted former Topeka resident Archie L. Robinson, 30, of aggravated burglary and first degree murder-felony murder in the 2014 shooting of Mr. Patrick D. Roberts. 

Investigation into the case began at approximately 3:10 a.m. on March 8, 2014 when officers with the Lawrence Police Department (LPD) were dispatched to the 2400 block of Cedarwood Avenue in reference to a shooting at a residence.  Through LPD’s exhaustive investigation, they determined two men, later to be identified as Mr. Robinson and Dustin Walker pushed in the victim’s front door, charged into his bedroom and demanded to know, “Where is it?”  Within seconds, the victim was shot in the abdomen.  The victim’s brother and one of the suspects wrestled for control of the gun.  The gun discharged a second time and a bullet lodged into the ceiling of the townhome.  Mr. Robinson and Mr. Walker lost control of the gun and fled the area on foot.  Mr. Robinson and Mr. Walker were captured by LPD officers shortly after the crime, in close proximity to the victim’s home.  Mr. Roberts was quickly transported via ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.  To contribute to the tragic nature of the event, not only was the victim’s brother present during the murder, but the victim’s teenage son and his mother were also witnesses to the crime.

Mr. Robinson’s trial began on Monday, March 9.  A jury was selected that day and opening arguments were delivered Tuesday morning.  The case was presented throughout the week.  Closing arguments were delivered this morning and the case went to the jury at approximately 10:15 a.m.  The jury deliberated for about one hour before returning its verdict.

Mr. Robinson faces lifetime imprisonment with no consideration of parole until he has served a minimum of 20 years in prison.  Sentencing was scheduled for April 16 at 8:30 a.m.

On February 16, 2015 case co-defendant Dustin Walker was convicted by a jury of aggravated burglary; however, the jury hung on the charge of first degree murder-felony murder.  There will be a new jury trial beginning May 4 to re-try the murder charge.   Mr. Walker is presumed innocent of the murder charge until and unless he is proven guilty.

The Honorable Paula B. Martin presided over both trials.  The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and the trials were prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan and Assistant District Attorney Alice Walker.

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