Text messages lead to Chesapeake murder conviction

CHESAPEAKE

Prosecutors lacked a murder weapon, fingerprints and DNA evidence, but a series of incriminating text messages proved enough Monday to send Anthony Saunders to jail for murder.

After deliberating more than eight hours spanning two days, a jury found Saunders guilty of first-degree murder for shooting a man during a botched robbery in the Budget Lodge on Military Highway on Sept. 14, 2010.

Saunders also was found guilty of attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a robbery and use of a firearm to commit murder.

He could have received a life sentence, but the jury recommended 31 years. Circuit Judge Marjorie T. Arrington set sentencing for May 7.

Cornell Darden died after being shot in the chest in the room where he was staying. With help from his friend, Deon Cobb, Saunders entered the room about 9:30 p.m. Saunders had a gun and was trying to rob Darden, a known drug dealer. But when Darden suddenly stood up from the bed, Saunders shot him, according to testimony.

"The gunman panics, turns around and shoots Mr. Darden," Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Poindexter told the jury in closing arguments Friday. "That gunman was, in fact, Mr. Saunders."

Cobb arranged the robbery and opened the motel room door so Saunders could enter, according to testimony. Cobb was found guilty in December on the same charges.

With Cobb unwilling to testify against Saunders, Poindexter and Commonwealth's Attorney Cara Oxenham focused their evidence on more than a dozen text messages between Saunders and Cobb before and after the murder. In one message after the murder, Saunders told Cobb to wipe off a drawer. Poindexter, in her closing, told the jury that Saunders wanted Cobb to wipe off a drawer he might have touched at the murder scene.

In other text messages, Saunders relayed to his girlfriend that he would have to go into hiding without saying why.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com