Posted on 03/08/2003 2:33:25 PM PST by aomagrat
A Columbia man on Friday was sentenced to a 55-year prison term after he was convicted on charges in a December 2000 bank robbery and car chase.
Christopher James Reese, 32, of 3426 Maybank St., tried to convince jurors he was insane and that the movie "Terminator" and a music video by rapper Scarface made him rob the Bank of Ridgeway, 115 McNulty St., in Blythewood, prosecutors said.
After a four-day trial, jurors convicted Reese on charges of robbery, two counts of carjacking, two counts of assault with intent to kill and firearm possession.
Reese is accused of entering the bank, pulling a gun and demanding money. He left the bank with a bag filled with more than $5,000, police said.
Reese's getaway driver left, and he tried carjacking two motorists before taking a pickup, police said.
He fired shots at a Richland County deputy before losing control of the pickup about two miles from the bank, police said. The pickup veered across the road and landed on its side. Reese was arrested.
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