Knife-Wielding Robber at Motel 6 Sentenced to 35 Years

SAN ANGELO, TX — The six-man and six-woman jury found Eddie Lynn Tackett guilty of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon Wednesday and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.  The jury began deliberations at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. After 35 minutes, jurors sent a note to Judge Brad Goodwin asking for four pieces of evidence; Riza's medical records, all photographs entered into evidence, a map of the Motel 6 and the bill where Elizabeth Tackett checked into the motel.

For more about the charges against Tackett, see "Sex, Lies, and Motel 6."

In just over two hours, the jury returned a guilty verdict and began the punishment phase of the trial.  Prosecutors called Riza back to the stand.  He read a list of items stolen in the robbery.  The items included a computer, cell phone, jewelry, medications and clothes totaling approximately $20,000.  

Prosecutors presented evidence that Tackett had two prior felony convictions.  He was convicted of aggravated robbery in 2001 and of unauthorized use of a vehicle in 2014.  

Defense attorneys called witnesses who testified that Tackett had found religion since he has been in the Tom Green County Jail for about a year.  Defense attorney Jessica Skinner was prepared to call Elizabeth Tackett to the witness stand.  Elizabeth Tackett is in the Tom Green County Jail charged with aggravated robbery as well.  

Tackett faced a sentence of 15 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.