***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2014

GROSS SENTENCED TO 100 YEARS FOR HIS ROLE IN SALEH’S MARKET DOUBLE HOMICIDE

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

Richard Carl Gross was sentenced today to 100 years imprisonment in the Indiana Department of Correction by Judge Terry Shewmaker of the Elkhart Circuit Court. Gross pled guilty to two counts of felony murder as an accomplice for the fatal robbery attempt of Saleh’s Market last September 5, 2013. Gross pled guilty without the benefit of a plea bargain, meaning the judge could impose any sentence permissible by law.

Gross admitted to aiding Kevin Moore in the fatal robbery attempt that left 20 year-old Pawan Singh and 55 year-old Jagtar Singh Bhatti dead. Last month, during Kevin Moore’s sentencing hearing, Saleh’s Market employee Bill Sinclair told the court that Pawan and Jagtar were well-liked in the community, often extending credit or giving food to customers who did not have enough money. Like Moore before him, Gross acknowledged today that he considered Pawan and Jagtar “friends.” Gross’s attorney asked Judge Shewmaker to impose concurrent sentencing, arguing that Gross was merely following Moore and did not expect Moore to shoot the victims.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Francisco, who argued for the 100-year sentence, argued that Gross’s conduct went beyond merely following to that of an active participant who expected to receive proceeds from the robbery. Francisco further argued that, while Gross was not the shooter, he knew the risks associated with an armed robbery attempt; Gross was charged with robbery in Memphis, Tennessee in 2012, but was ultimately convicted of only misdemeanor theft in that matter. Francisco asked the Judge to impose consecutive 50-year sentences to impose a separately experienced punishment for each life taken.

Kevin Moore was sentenced last month to 120 years in prison for his role in the double murder.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”