COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — A McKinney man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a Collin County jury convicted him of capital murder in connection with a deadly shooting during a planned drug deal, according to the Collin County District Attorney's Office.
District Attorney Greg Willis announced that 26-year-old Donte Murry was convicted following a jury trial in Collin County.
According to prosecutors, the case stemmed from a shooting on April 28, 2024, at approximately 2 p.m., when officers with the McKinney Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in a neighborhood.
Witnesses told investigators they saw a man approach a white vehicle parked on the street, argue with the occupant, and fire multiple shots. Authorities said the suspect then searched through the vehicle, removed items, and fled on foot.
Officers located the victim inside the vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Investigators recovered a .45 caliber shell casing from inside the victim’s vehicle that was later linked to a handgun found in Murry’s backpack, according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the investigation revealed that Murry and the victim exchanged gunfire during a planned drug deal that escalated into an armed robbery.
Investigators followed muddy footprints to a nearby residence, where the McKinney SWAT Team assisted in locating Murry and executing a search warrant.
Police said officers recovered Murry’s firearm, the victim’s stolen firearm, and marijuana taken from the victim’s vehicle.
According to the district attorney’s office, Murry initially lied during a recorded interview with Detective Mark Brydges before admitting the meeting involved a drug deal and that he intended to rob the victim.
During trial, prosecutors presented Murry’s recorded statements along with text messages they said showed he planned the robbery in advance.
Judge Kimberly Laseter presided over the trial and imposed the automatic sentence of life in prison without parole following the conviction.
“This defendant planned an armed robbery, murdered the victim, and then tried to cover it up with lies,” Willis said in a statement. “A Collin County jury saw through it all and held him fully accountable.”
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Mollie Thompson and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case.
