Man given 20 to 50 years in restaurant robbery where officer was shot

Kim Smith

Thursday, March 1, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

One of four people arrested in connection with a robbery that left a Metro officer sightless in one eye apologized to the officer this morning minutes before getting a 20-to 50-year prison sentence.

"I feel remorseful about the whole situation, and I should have thought twice before going in there," said Terrence Winn. "I'd also like to say I'm sorry to the officer, even though I was not the one who opened fire on him. I'm glad you're back to work."

Police have charged that Winn, 21, was one of three men who ran into the Macayo Vegas restaurant on Charleston Boulevard June 14 and robbed employees at gunpoint. When they came out moments later, police say they encountered Officer Pete Rossi, 26, and one of the robbers opened fire.

Winn pleaded guilty to robbery with use of a deadly weapon and attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon last month. As a result of the plea agreement, Winn must serve a four- to 10-year prison sentence for the robbery before he begins serving an eight- to 20-year sentence on the attempted murder charge.

The man police believe orchestrated the robbery, Markus Weatherspoon, is scheduled to go to trial next week, and the alleged gunman, Darnell Harris, is set for trial in April.

The getaway driver, Tamika Beavers, has accepted a deal from prosecutors and will receive a 12 to 30-year sentence once she testifies against Weatherspoon and Harris.

Although Rossi did not give a formal statement to District Judge Joseph Bonaventure this morning, he told the judge he is back at work, and he hopes to regain his sight one day.

Rossi declined to comment after the hearing, saying he had another court appearance to make.

Bonaventure told Rossi he was glad he was back at work.

The shooting of an officer whose job it is to serve and protect is a "terrible" thing, Bonaventure said.