Man convicted in Weaver murder

Torrance Vincent

A Calhoun County jury found Torrance Vincent of Anniston guilty of capital murder Thursday in the 1999 murder of Damian Wright.  Vincent is accused of shooting Wright at Wright's home in Weaver. Vincent and two other masked men allegedly broke into the home where Wright and other friends were playing Dungeons and Dragons.  Wright tried to wrestle the gun away from his attacker, but it went off and killed him. The state rested their case Thursday morning.  Neither side debated guilt in the case, but  instead focused on the shooter's intent. The defense claimed that Vincent intended to rob the home, but didn't intend to kill anyone. The jury found Vincent guilty of capital murder around 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon.  After the verdict was read, the defense made a brief motion for a mistrial. They said when Vincent stood up after hearing the verdict, the jury could see that he was handcuffed.  Vincent's lawyers said the jury wasn't supposed to see that he was in custody, because it could make them prejudiced during the penalty phase.  The judge denied the motion for mistrial.  The jury will return on Monday, April 14 for the penalty phase, since the courthouse will be closed Today for Good Friday. Vincent could be sentenced to the death penalty for the crime.