Wilmington, Delaware – A man was convicted by a New Castle County jury for assaulting a store owner with a hammer during a jewelry heist in 2022. Calvin Ushery, 40, was found guilty of assault, robbery, and weapons charges after surveillance video of the violent robbery at the now-defunct Solid Gold Jewelers circulated nationally. This was Ushery’s second trial on allegations of robbing the jewelry store in downtown Wilmington, with the first trial ending in a hung jury.
Prior to the latest trial, Ushery turned down two plea deals from prosecutors that would have capped his sentence at 25 years and 20 years, respectively. If not declared a habitual offender, Ushery faces a prison term ranging between seven and 75 years. His sentencing is scheduled for July. The robbery involved a masked man assaulting the elderly store owner, leaving him injured on the ground while stealing jewelry from the store.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including surveillance footage showing Ushery attempting to sell a large amount of jewelry at local pawn shops shortly after the robbery. Police arrested Ushery with hundreds of stolen pieces of jewelry. Deputy Attorney General Jamie McCloskey highlighted the similarities between Ushery and the robber in terms of appearance, movements, and cell phone evidence linking Ushery to the crime scene.
During the trial, the defense argued that detectives unfairly targeted Ushery and pointed out inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, such as the handling of evidence and the relevance of a bicycle recovered from Ushery’s residence. Defense attorney Matthew Keating emphasized that similarities between Ushery and the suspect did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. McCloskey countered by stating that the evidence, including the recovery of stolen jewelry and cell phone data, pointed to Ushery’s involvement in the robbery.
In closing arguments, both sides presented differing interpretations of the evidence, leaving the jury to deliberate Ushery’s fate. The trial showcased a clash between the prosecution’s narrative of a calculated robbery and the defense’s portrayal of a bumbling and unplanned sequence of events. The jury’s decision ultimately found Ushery guilty, marking the end of a legal battle that captured national attention.