Gang-banger pleads guilty to murder - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Gang-banger pleads guilty to murder

Arpana Purani Arpana Purani

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:26:38 GMT
    If you're traveling this Memorial Day Weekend, you may notice you're paying about the same at the pump as last year. AAA says the average gas price in Georgia right now is about $3.46 a gallon. That's
    If you're traveling this Memorial Day Weekend, you may notice you're paying about the same at the pump as last year.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:46 GMT
    Looks like will have great weather for Memorial Day weekend and DNR Rangers are preparing for big crowds on Lake Blackshear. Rangers expect a large number of boaters all weekend. They say they will strictly
    Looks like will have great weather for Memorial Day weekend and DNR Rangers are preparing for big crowds on Lake Blackshear.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:14 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:14:04 GMT
    A Cordele woman and her father are leading an effort to send clothes and other supplies to tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma. Not only are a lot of people already donating items, but people are chipping
    A Cordele woman and her father are leading an effort to send clothes and other supplies to tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma.
    •   

May 27, 2004

Albany -- A 19-year-old Albany man Thursday pleaded guilty to murdering a popular convenience store owner in May.  Desmond Hart was sentenced to life in prison following a very emotional plea from the families.

Desmond Hart begged forgiveness from the family of P. J. Purani after he pleaded guilty to shooting him in the head in a robbery attempt. But Purani's wife said she could not forgive. "Why? Why? You could have just asked him once, and he would have given it to you, Deion, and you know it. You could have asked me, I would have given you the money."

His lawyer said Hart, the reported leader of the Crips High Home Boy gang in Albany, pleaded guilty to save his and the victim's family more grief. Purani's widow said this brought them no comfort. "No, Not really, nothing will. Life in jail is not going to bring my husband back."

 Hart lived around the corner from the One Stop Food Store and knew Purani well. He shopped there almost daily.

District Attorney Ken Hodges said, "I hope the quick resolution of this case will help them heal, and help them get on. But there is nothing that will bring him back."

Arpana Purani said, "We've never thought about this day. And now we have to look forward all our life, without his daddy, without a husband, without a son. How do you survive this?"

Desmond Hart will be eligible for parole in 14 years. Arpana Purani says she plans to sell their store, and move from Albany.

posted at 4:00 PM by jimw@walb.com