|
Trial in
killing, robbery begins
Date:
1/8/2008
Restaurant manager slain in 2006 shooting
By
Schuyler Kropf
The Post
and Courier
Tuesday,
January 8, 2008
Dishwasher Dominic Derricotte killed his boss with two gunshots to her head
and neck, a prosecutor charged Monday, as Derricotte went on trial for murder
and the armed robbery of a North Charleston Perkins Family Restaurant where he
worked.
"It was an execution by this defendant," 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett
Wilson told jurors in describing the Oct. 7, 2006, killing of store manager
Jennifer Skurow.
Derricotte, 23, is accused of hanging around outside the Rivers Avenue
restaurant after his late-night shift ended and then crashing in through a fire
door armed with a pistol at a time when there were only two store employees left
inside.
A witness earlier told police that Skurow, 32, confronted Derricotte
immediately afterward, telling him "Dominic, what do you think you're doing?"
Derricotte then allegedly answered, "I don't want to have to do this, just
give me the money." Moments later, the witness heard two gunshots.
Police found Skurow lying on the floor in front of an open safe that still
had some dollar bills and rolled change inside.
Derricotte was arrested in Virginia about 16 hours after the crime.
During testimony Monday, the day's only witness said Derricotte stuck around
outside the restaurant long after his shift was over. Former store server
Danielle Celorio testified Skurow was wary of Derricotte and had even referred
to him as "creepy Dominic."
Wilson also told the jurors Derricotte's fingerprints were found on the fire
door.
Derricotte has denied any involvement in the crimes. His defense attorney,
Rodney Davis, also told the jury his client is innocent.
Skurow, a 1992 Goose Creek High School graduate, had worked at Perkins for
more than five years, even as she held down other jobs.
She was known to have given Derricotte rides home at the end of the work day,
her family said earlier.
Derricotte faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of the murder
charge.
Testimony will resume at 9:30 a.m. at the Charleston County Judicial Center
in front of Circuit Judge Deadra Jefferson.
The trial is expected to take several days.
Reach Schuyler Kropf
at 937-5551 or
skropf@postandcourier.com.
Copyright © 1997 - 2007 the Evening Post Publishing Co.
Published Friday, January 25, 2008 1:38 PM
Updated Friday, January 25, 2008 1:39 PM
|
