Auburn, NY - Acting District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced today that KARL DIGGS, 45, of Auburn, was convicted of one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B Violent Felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, following a three-day jury trial in June of 2022. The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for just under one hour. Acting District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci handled the case, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Britton Bouchard. M. Benjamin Susman represented the defendant.
The evidence adduced at trial showed that on December 11, 2021, police responded to the area of 297 Grant Avenue (Walmart), in the City of Auburn for reports of a knife point robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with asset protection officers who had been threatened by the defendant with a knife while he was attempting to leave the store with stolen merchandise. Defendant was observed by witnesses, and on video surveillance, concealing merchandise inside of a bag and walking past all points of sale. When approached by Walmart asset protection employees, defendant lunged toward them with a knife in an attempt to flee the scene with the stolen merchandise. He was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement at the Grant Avenue Motel, a few blocks away. Upon placing defendant under arrest, officers observed a knife in defendant’s possession. Jurors were able to listen to a 911 call and eyewitness testimony, as well as review video surveillance from the store, among other evidence.
DIGGS was sentenced today 15 years to Life in prison before the Honorable Thomas G. Leone. Due to DIGGS extensive criminal history, the Court exercised its discretion and sentenced DIGGS as a persistent felony offender.
Acting DA Brittany Grome Antonacci commented: “We appreciate the Court taking the time to consider and weigh our motion to sentence defendant as a persistent felony offender. By doing so, this repeat offender will be on lifetime supervision following his lengthy prison sentence. Our Office will continue to work hard to hold violent and repeat offenders accountable”