Summary of Offense:
In the early morning hours of February 17, 1990, Lancelot Armstrong and Michael Coleman entered Church’s Fried Chicken restaurant under the pretense of visiting Kay Allen. Allen was the assistant manager of Church’s and the former girlfriend of the defendant. Initially, Allen refused to meet with Armstrong, but eventually accompanied him to his car outside, while Coleman stayed in the restaurant. According to testimony, the defendant told Allen he was going to rob the restaurant and that, if she did not cooperate, he might have to kill her. All the other employees had gone home, so Armstrong, Allen and Coleman were alone. When getting the money out of the safe, Allen managed to pull the silent alarm. Deputy Sheriffs Robert Sallustio and John Greeney arrived at the scene to find Armstrong in the car and Coleman still in the restaurant. Shots fired from inside the restaurant distracted the officers, enabling Armstrong to reach for his gun and to open fire on the officers as well. Sallustio was struck three times and Greeney was killed instantly. Armstrong and Coleman fled the state and were apprehended in Maryland. Investigators determined that bullets from Armstrong’s gun killed Greeney because he suffered from shots fired at close-range.
Armstrong was sentenced to death in Broward County on June 20, 1991.
Co-defendant information:
Michael Coleman, the co-defendant, received life in prison for his role in the robbery and shooting.
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