VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man who shot and killed a Daytona Beach jewelry store owner earlier this year took a plea deal Tuesday and was sentenced to life in prison.
John Craiger killed Ghazi Osta, owner of Volusia Gold & Diamond, in a shooting on July 19. During a plea hearing Tuesday, Craiger was adjudicated guilty and received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Leigh Osta, the victim’s wife, told News 6 that Craiger was a frequent customer, who became friends with her husband. She said Craiger started leaning on her husband for too much, so he pulled back.
“He came back a couple of weeks ago to sell some jewelry and my husband wasn’t interested. I think the jewelry was more or less a roost to get my husband to start up a bond again,” she told News 6 in July.
She said her husband and Craiger began arguing when the shooting happened.
According to police, officers saw on store surveillance video that Craiger then started walking away from the counter, pulled out a revolver, turned around and shot Osta. They said two store employees went after Craiger; one of whom was Osta’s own son, who shot back at Craiger.
Craiger had also been struck in the head by a small statue by the other employee, who was able to approach him from behind, causing Craiger to fall to the ground.
Leigh Osta told News 6 their family has owned the store for over 35 years.
“He would spend so much time with the customers. They were like family to him, if they needed anything. If they didn’t have money for lunch, he would give them so much money for that,” she said.
The plea hearing is set to begin Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. News 6 will stream it live at the top of this story.
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