A judge Friday sentenced 10 current and former high school athletes to prison terms of up to 25 years for their roles in a string of armed robberies in the Dallas area over the past year.
"The defendants . . . in six months time committed more armed robberies than Bonnie and Clyde did in a lifetime," said State District Judge Joe Kendall. "If stupidity were a crime, you would all deserve life without parole."Kendall ordered an 11th youth sent to a prison boot camp for young offenders and another received deferred adjudication for their parts in 21 robberies in Dallas and suburban Duncanville.
Kendall sentenced the teenagers, including a former high school All-America football player, after they pleaded guilty to holding up several restaurants, including some where they worked.
Before sentencing, Kendall lectured the youths for about 10 minutes, telling them they had no excuse for committing the crimes. Sentenced one by one, most of the defendants hung their heads as the judge ruled.
Derric Evans, 17, an All-American defensive back at Dallas Carter High last year who lost a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee, received a 20-year term for his involvement in four robberies.
Evans slumped in his chair after his sentenced was announced.
Gary Edwards, 17, another football player who played a prominent role in Carter's run to a state championship last fall, was sentenced to 16 years on three counts.
Keith Campbell, 18, received a 25-year term for his involvement in four robberies. Kendall called Campbell a "sociopath" and said he was a ringleader. Seven others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two years to 16 years.
Many of the youths testified over the past month that they committed at least one aggravated robbery each so they could have extra cash for prom night.