Kannapolis man convicted of attempted murder

Published 1:07 am Sunday, October 2, 2016

SALISBURY — A Kannapolis man could serve up to 16 years in prison after being convicted last week on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Timani D’Ante Stark, appearing in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court, was also convicted of two counts of felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of felony conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony burglary.

Judge Casey Viser consolidated the charges for one judgment and sentenced Stark to a minimum of 152 months (12.66 years) to a maximum of 192 months (16 years) in prison.

According to a press release from District Attorney Brandy Cook, the charges stemmed from the following incidents:

Authorities say around 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 2009, a man was walking down a handicap ramp at the back of his home on Corriher Grange Road in Mooresville when two men and a woman confronted him. One man was wearing a Halloween costume and the other had a dark hooded shirt on, with the hood over his head and a bandanna covering his face. Both carried shotguns.

The victim was forced to the ground while the intruders went through his pockets and took his money. While one man held him down, a shotgun to his head and a bright red light shining in the victim’s face, the other two went in the house.

A woman lying on a couch heard them enter and saw the man and woman in her kitchen. The man said he wanted her money; he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her over to a safe. The intruders held a shotgun to the woman’s head as she opened a home safe.

A short time later the people left.

The press release also describes a second incident:

A few days later, on Oct. 30, the victim’s son was working on a fence gate behind his home at Corriher Grange Road when he heard a noise, saw a shadow at the garage and then saw men there, recognizing one as Timani Stark. The men grabbed him, displayed pistols with lasers, and threatened to shoot him if he did not remain quiet.

The intruders said they were going into his home, and as he resisted they hit him in the face and head. The man broke free and grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun.

The two men ran to the back door. The victim and one of the men exchanged gunfire, with one shot coming close to striking the victim’s father.

The victim gave chase, firing his shotgun and hitting one of the men. Stark, who was not hit, fired at the victim again and missed.

The victim returned to his home and found his father holding at gunpoint the injured intruder, who confirmed that the other man was Stark.

The man who had been shot was treated for his injuries, and he gave a statement to law enforcement. Stark was subsequently arrested.

District Attorney Cook said she appreciated the work of Assistant District Attorney Barrett Poppler and the thorough investigation conducted by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Cook also expressed gratitude for the victims’ cooperation, which helped to ensure that Stark was held accountable.