Houston man convicted in friend’s murder, sentenced 35 years in prison after 8-day trial

After an eight-day trial, a Harris County jury has found Angelo Britton guilty of murder, sentencing him to 35 years in prison for the shooting death of his friend, Edward Gray, a father of 43 years. The incident occurred on May 12, 2022, with the motive behind Britton’s actions remaining unclear.

During the trial, a representative of Gray’s family described Britton as a “monster masquerading as a friend” in a victim impact statement delivered after the sentencing.

According to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Britton and Gray were traveling together in Britton’s silver sedan when they pulled over due to a suspected mechanical issue on an overpass at Beltway 8 and Interstate 10 East around 11 p.m. It was at this point that Britton fatally shot Gray in the heart before fleeing the scene.

Witnesses who heard the gunshot and passing drivers who saw Gray’s body promptly alerted the authorities. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence captured the car stopping at the underpass.

Further investigation revealed tracking data from Britton’s cellphone, corroborating the route the two men had taken, including the stop at the underpass. Additionally, a receipt found in Gray’s possession indicated he had visited a convenience store earlier in the day, with video footage showing him entering Britton’s car.

Britton, who was on deferred adjudication probation for aggravated assault at the time of the murder, was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

Assistant District Attorney Jay Gordon emphasized the impact of Britton’s actions, stating that he not only robbed Gray of his future but also deprived his teenage son of a father to guide him through life’s milestones.

Britton will be required to serve at least half of his prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.