A Jefferson County man has been re-sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 1996 double killing at a Shelby County pawn shop.
Marcus Presley, now 44, was 16 years old when John Burleson and Janice Littleton were shot to death during a robbery at John’s 280 Pawn Shop in Westover,
Presley and co-defendant LaSamuel Gamble robbed the pawn shop and Presley shot both victims before leaving.
The robbery was one of a series of robbery/murders committed by the two across several jurisdictions, including the 1996 shooting death of Jefferson Avenue store clerk Marvin Smith during a holdup.
Presley was originally sentenced to death after a jury recommended that sentence at his trial in 1997.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juvenile offenders could not be sentenced to death. The decision left judges with only the option of sentencing juveniles to life without the possibility of parole.
After that decision, Presley was taken off death row and given a mandatory sentence of life without parole – the only remaining sentencing option in his case.
The Supreme Court then ruled that the court must consider a sentence with the possibility of parole for those under the age of 18.
Because Presley was automatically sentenced to life without parole, the court was required to hold another sentencing hearing to consider a parole eligible sentence.
LaSamuel Gamble was previously re-sentenced to life without parole.
Presley’s hearing was held two days last week in Shelby County.
On Friday, Shelby County Circuit Judge Jonathan Spann re-sentenced Presley, again to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“It is unfathomable to me that we are still dealing with the consequences of Marcus Presley’s brutal crimes almost 30 years after they were committed,” said District Attorney Matt Casey.
“We’re thankful that he remains sentenced to the highest penalty that the law allows, and we hope that the families of the two victims will be able to find some closure” he said.
The case against Presley was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Retired Sgt. Russell Yawn and retired Capt. Michael DeHart testified at the hearing to the details of the investigation.
Retired Chief Assistant District Attorney Randy Hillman and Assistant District Attorney Brooke Grigsby represented the state.
Presley is in prison at Limestone Correctional Facility.
