Jury deliberates in sub shop killing

By TIMES STAFF
Published May 17, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Danielle Miller, the woman killed in the subway shooting in Tampa in Dec. 2004.

Jurors will resume deliberating this morning in the trial of a man accused of killing one Subway employee and wounding another during a 2004 robbery.

Phillip L. Austin Jr., 20, could face life in prison if convicted on charges that include first-degree murder, attempted murder and two counts of armed robbery. Attorneys gave closing arguments in his trial Wednesday. After deliberating for about an hour, jurors decided to go home and return today at 9 a.m.

During the 1 1/2-day trial, prosecutors said that Austin fired the shots that killed 22-year-old Danielle Miller at the Town 'N Country sandwich shop. Miller's co-worker Dorothy Hayes survived being shot once in the abdomen.

Darrell Sebron Doby Jr., 21, and Marquis Devon Alexander, 18, both entered plea deals for their part in the Dec. 4, 2004, robbery. They received reduced charges in exchange for their testimony against Austin.

Alexander was sentenced last year to 35 years in prison and Doby is serving a sentence of five years and 11 months.

If the jury finds Austin guilty, he will be sentenced by Circuit Judge William Fuente.

[Last modified May 17, 2007, 00:31:41]