Justus Robertson sentenced to 29 years in prison in 2022 murder case

Posted on 2/16/2024

Defendant: Justus Robertson

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott on February 15 sentenced Justus Robertson, 20, of Columbus, to a total term of 29 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Christopher Roberts, Jr. in July of 2022. A jury in January convicted Robertson of several charges, including aggravated murder. Seth Enlow and Steven Schott prosecuted the case for the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

On the evening of July 7, 2022, after a dispute resulted in the theft of firearms and drugs, Robertson engaged in a firefight alongside three accomplices and multiple victims at 4996 Chatterton Road just east of Noe Bixby Road in Franklin County. The gun battle resulted in a bullet striking the home of a family. A mother and her three-year-old child were inside at the time watching television but were not hit. Roberts was killed in the gun battle.

After a week-long trial, the jury found Robertson guilty of all charges on January 26, 2024:

• Count 1: Aggravated Robbery
• Count 2: Improper Discharge into a Habitation
• Counts 3-5: Felonious Assault
• Count 6: Aggravated Murder
• Counts 7-8: Murder

The entire gun battle was captured on video surveillance footage. The investigative work of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office played a role in the arrest and prosecution of this case. The statutory minimum was 26 years to life.

“I commend the efforts of everyone involved, including the detectives, the prosecutors and the witnesses who came forward to help produce multiple guilty verdicts and a substantial sentence in this case,” said Anthony Pierson, deputy chief counsel for the prosecutor’s office. “Violence, particularly gun violence that puts an innocent mother and child in harm’s way, is never acceptable in our community.”