After a two-week trial, a federal jury on St. Croix on March 24 convicted Elvin Wrensford, 29, and Craig Muller, 30, of first degree murder and related firearm offenses, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe and Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Delroy Richards have announced.
Evidence presented at trial established that during the afternoon on May 10, 2012, Wrensford and Muller were in a red truck and got into an altercation with an individual at Ben’s Car Wash. The men followed the individual but then left the area and returned later in the red truck, with Muller driving. The two men chased the victim, who had left Ben’s Car Wash, and Wrensford fired a gun at him.
On May 12, 2012, the victim died from the gunshot wounds. Wrensford was linked to the firearm by DNA evidence, and an eyewitness identified him as the shooter and Muller as the driver of the red truck.
Wrensford was convicted of possession of a firearm in a school zone, using a firearm during a violent crime, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, murder first degree, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Muller was convicted of possession of a firearm in a school zone, murder first degree, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Murder in the first degree carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison without parole. Both defendants were detained pending sentencing. No sentencing date has been set.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alphonso Andrews, Jr. and Rhonda Williams-Henry.
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