DALLAS COUNTY, Texas — A Dallas County jury convicted a 34-year-old man of capital murder in the 2021 killing of a drug dealer during a hotel room robbery and returned a guilty verdict after only minutes of deliberation.
Hunter Lee Harmon was found guilty on April 27, 2026, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by Jennifer Balido.
According to prosecutors, the case stemmed from the Dec. 13, 2021, killing of Brian Epps.
Investigators said Harmon recruited two accomplices to rob Epps, whom prosecutors described as a drug dealer. Authorities said Harmon knew the victim personally and allegedly held resentment toward him over money and the victim’s relationship with Harmon’s on-and-off girlfriend.
Prosecutors said Harmon planned the robbery, armed himself with a pistol, and drove the group to the hotel where Epps was staying.
According to trial testimony, when Epps answered the hotel room door, Harmon and the accomplices forced their way inside and knocked him to the ground.
Authorities said Epps attempted to defend himself with a firearm, but the weapon malfunctioned. Prosecutors said Harmon then shot Epps three times, killing him.
Investigators said the suspects ransacked the hotel room and stole drugs, cash, designer clothing, and cell phones before fleeing.
According to prosecutors, surveillance footage captured the suspects entering and leaving the hotel room. Detectives with the Richardson Police Department later used cellphone mapping data and additional investigative techniques to identify Harmon and recover the murder weapon.
Prosecutors told jurors Harmon showed no remorse following the killing.
The jury returned a guilty verdict after approximately five minutes of deliberation.
The prosecution team included lead prosecutor Marissa Trevino and second-chair prosecutor Emily Antram.
