VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man who shot and killed a Daytona Beach jewelry store owner earlier this year was sentenced to life in prison.
John Craiger fatally shot Ghazi Osta, owner of Volusia Gold & Diamond, on July 19.
During a plea hearing Tuesday, the judge adjudicated Craiger guilty to first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“It’s been over three months of living with an unimaginable nightmare. So much pain, so much pain,” Leigh Osta, the victim’s wife, said during the hearing. “... This has all been very difficult.”
The victim’s wife told News 6 that Craiger was a frequent customer, who became friends with her husband. She said Craiger started leaning on her husband for too much, so he pulled back.
“He came back a couple of weeks ago to sell some jewelry and my husband wasn’t interested. I think the jewelry was more or less a roost to get my husband to start up a bond again,” she told News 6 in July.
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She said her husband and Craiger began arguing when the shooting happened.
“Our family has suffered a tremendous loss. Ghazi was my husband of 39 years and father to four heartbroken children. A community who loved Ghazi, it’s all gone with your cowardly action,” Leigh Osta said during the plea hearing. “... But through this tragedy, we will grow stronger.”
According to police, officers saw on store surveillance video that Craiger then started walking away from the counter, pulled out a revolver, turned around and shot Ghazi Osta. They said two store employees went after Craiger; one of whom was Osta’s own son, who shot back at Craiger.
Craiger had also been struck in the head by a small statue by the other employee, who was able to approach him from behind, causing Craiger to fall to the ground.
Ghazi Osta’s two daughters spoke during the hearing about the pain caused with the loss of their father.
The family has owned the store for over 35 years.
“He would spend so much time with the customers. They were like family to him, if they needed anything. If they didn’t have money for lunch, he would give them so much money for that,” Leigh Osta said.
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