Murderer gets more time for robberies

By Linda Cicoira

     Murderer Eric Bruno Custis was recently sentenced to 15 years of active time in prison for the 2019 death of a teenager he killed in a drive-by shooting in Onancock and for armed robbery of Shore Stop, in Accomac, in 2023.

     In Northampton Circuit Court Monday, Judge Lynwood W. Lewis Jr. added another dozen years in prison to the 27-year-old defendant punishment for robbing the Family Dollar in Exmore at gunpoint, also in 2023. The new sentence is to run consecutively with the previous one bringing the total active time to 27 years.

     “We can’t have you in this community for a long time,” the judge said. “We’ve got to get you out.” When Custis is released, his probation stipulations will be numerous. Supervision, 30 years of good behavior, and 4th Amendment Rights taken away for five years were among them.

     Betty Ann Stevens, the Exmore store’s manager, said the incident was “embedded” in her mind. Her testimony started with her thanking God for sparing her life. But it was obvious she was angry with the defendant for putting a gun in her face and demanding money. He got away with $88.

     “You are devil spawn,” Stevens said turning to face Custis. “You are a disgrace to man and humanity.  Your choices impact hundreds … traumatized my 82-year-old mother, my four children, my … grandchildren, and my marriage. This is just my circle,” she continued.

       Stevens also listed the community, other businesses, the defendant’s family, another store worker, and the other worker’s family as victims. “You nearly broke my family,” she said. “If you would have kept your mouth shut you probably would not have gotten caught,” she added, explaining that he had bragged about what he did and someone came back to her to tell it.

     “You have no respect and no remorse,” she continued. “I’ve seen you smile twice today … It’s still clear you think this was a joke.”

      Stevens said it was not the first time Custis visited the store on the day of the robbery. Earlier he purchased the black mask he used to cover his face during the crime.

      Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton said, “This is not a walk-up pickpocket. This was planned. He came in and … bought the instruments of his crime at the very place he was going to rob.”

      Custis, who lived on Wharton Circle in Greenbush, previously pleaded guilty to killing 19-year-old Tayvion Laquan “Tay Man” Smith, who had recently graduated from high school. The defendant’s presentence report stated “he regretted all that happened” and “was (only) trying to scare them a bit” when his gunfire blasted a Jacob Street apartment.

     Accomack Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan said Custis was robbing businesses to raise money so he could leave the area because he feared retaliation for the death.