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Man Gets Life In Prison Without Parole For Murder Of Beulah Convenience Store Clerk
December 19, 2019
An Escambia County jury sentenced a man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the for the death of a Beulah convenience store during a robbery last year.
Effidarius Bryant was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery for the February 19 death of f Govardhan “Reddy” Kotha, a clerk at the Quick Fill gas station located at 7144 Mobile Highway. Kotha was killed the day before he planned to leave town to attend his daughter’s wedding.
Two other people are also charged in connection with the robbery.
Keandra Martez Smith is charged with murder and robber with a firearm; he is scheduled to appear in court in February. Crystal Clausell is charged with robbery with a firearm and is scheduled to appear on January 3.
A customer that entered the store the night of February 19 called authorities because he did not see a clerk in the store and the register drawer was open.
On the surveillance video, deputies watched as Smith entered the store in a gray hoodie. He purchased sunflower seeds and left the store. Then Bryant entered the store wearing mask, brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic automatic handgun at Kotha. A short time later, he lifted the cash register draw and fired two shots at Kotha, hitting him in the upper chest and head, according to a report.
Smith, according to the report, left the store without taking any cash.
By early morning, surveillance images were posted on social media and news media, including NorthEscambia.com. A tipster came forward an identified one of the suspects as Smith to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, wearing the same hoodie as in the surveillance video. A police report notes he was distraught and crying hysterically.
At no point did Smith attempt to render first aid to Kotha, contact emergency medical services or reach out to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the report revealed.
Smith provided his DNA to authorities, according to the report.
Clausell and Bryant were dating, the investigation revealed.
Comments
8 Responses to “Man Gets Life In Prison Without Parole For Murder Of Beulah Convenience Store Clerk”
Mr. Reddy was a good dude that deserved a lot better. They need to bring back Old Sparky for all involved in his murder to ride the lightning – in a short time period , not 20 or 30 years. But , North Escambia has the geographical location of the store wrong. The store is in Klondike , not Beulah. Beulah is west of Eleven Mile Creek . Klondike is between Eight Mile Creek & Eleven Mile Creek and always has been.
This has made my day I was just thinking about REDDY yesterday I think of him often and not over his death I MISS YOU REDDY I’m sooooooo happy that those MF got exactly what they deserved I Hate them for what they did to him alllllll of them FOAMF
The other 2 scum needs the same…the dregs of society
These people don’t realize the long term effects of their actions. I wonder if, before their crime, they realize the consequences of their senseless actions..either life in prison without parole or execution. They’re just living in the moment of their crime. In today’s world they’re most likely going to get caught with the video cams and sophisticated law enforcement tools like DNA, etc. And store owners have a life or lives in their hands so it behooves them to get the best video cam available. So often the results are blurry or unidentifiable.
I feel it would be helpful for all media to make Public Service Announcements reminding would-be criminals the punishments for certain crimes and remind them of the penalties when they get caught….and odds are they will be.
Should be death penalty, execution by firing squad. EVERY murder should be death penalty, execution within 10 years, execution method equal or similar to that used on the victim. Period.
Maybe he got life because after shooting, he realized his big mistake and didn’t bother to take the money due to he knew he would be arrested for murder. But should still get capital punishment.
Why keep him alive for life on our dime for murdering someone? Put him to death and save the taxpayers money and save space in prison for lesser criminals.
Good… What a horrific, senseless, animalistic act against fellow man kind… Even if you decide to rob by force, it is possible to do so without taking an innocent life… Glad ECSO was able to make quick arrest of this degenerate sub human and for the courts upholding his right to a speedy trial with a plausible verdict and sentencing…
Thanks judge, now do the same for the other two – all three rot in prison.