BIRT’S THEFT HISTORY
2001: Pleaded guilty to theft of property, sentenced to two years, suspended 2001: Pleaded guilty to theft of property, sentenced to 11 months, 29 days, suspended 2001: Pleaded guilty to auto burglary, sentenced to one year, suspended 2003: Pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, sentenced to six years, suspended 2005: Pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, sentenced to four years, served, released in 2008 Source: Hamilton County Criminal Court
Shooting at Miller Auto SalesThe man who was shot to death while trying to rob a car dealership on Rossville Boulevard last week had pleaded guilty to theft and burglary charges five times between 2001 and 2005 but only served actual jail time for one charge.
Demetrius Birt, 32, died March 26 after he tried to rob an employee at Miller Auto Sales and the employee, 27-year-old Alan Miller, shot him twice in the chest.
Police said Birt burst into the small shop around 2 p.m., wearing a mask and brandishing a gun. Police later decided Miller acted in self-defense and that the homicide was justified. No charges will be filed against Miller.
Birt got in legal trouble often when he was in his teens and 20s. Between 2001 and 2005 Birt was charged with evading arrest, vandalism, cruelty to animals and a handful of theft and burglary charges.