Houston man sentenced for killing single father because he was hanging out with his girlfriend
11/01/2023 12:41 pm PDT
SPRING, Texas (TCD) -- A man will spend 22 years in prison for fatally shooting a New Jersey man in what a Harris County prosecutor called a "jealous ambush" in 2021.
According to a news release from District Attorney Kim Ogg, a judge sentenced James Lane Monday, Oct. 30, after he pleaded guilty in August to the murder of Gregory Moore, a single father of three. For the past two months, Lane had a pre-sentence investigation, and a judge decided his punishment after a daylong hearing.
In June 2021, Moore visited Spring, Texas, and was staying with three friends at an Airbnb. Ogg said the group spent the vacation going to clubs and restaurants. During the trip, they met several women.
On June 28, 2021, Moore brought a woman back to the rental home on the 3500 block of Braewin Court. According to Ogg, the woman turned out to be Lane’s girlfriend, and he tracked her location through her cellphone. Lane reportedly drove to the Airbnb armed with a flashlight and handgun. At the home, he assaulted Moore and the woman, pistol-whipping them both. Then, Lane fatally shot Moore before leaving with his girlfriend.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene shortly after.
According to Ogg, detectives identified Lane as the primary suspect through cellphone data and witness interviews. Deputies located and arrested him days later.
Assistant District Attorney Kasie Herring said in a statement, "This was a jealous ambush — he ran up to them with a flashlight and a gun and ended up shooting nine times."
Ogg added, "This was a planned and premeditated attack on an unsuspecting visitor to Houston, and there have to be consequences."
After Lane’s sentencing, some of Moore’s friends and family provided victim impact statements.
Lane will have to serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
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