Guilty - Accused Robber Fails in His Defense

A Hamilton County man who tried to defend himself against aggravated robbery charges has failed. A Hamilton County jury found Gary Thompson guilty of aggravated robbery. The jury deliberated about one-and-a-half hours.

Thompson is accused of a 2008 robbery. Police said he stole money from a gas station on Lee Highway.

The man working that night took the stand on Thursday.

Thompson himself questioned the man he's accused of robbing. The victim, Bradley Tucker, testified over and over that Thompson was the one who robbed him.

But Thompson said he didn't do it, and says there is a conspiracy to frame him for the crime. He also got into several arguments with Judge Barry Steelman about the legal system and how the law works inside a courtroom.

Thompson himself helped pick the jury which ultimately found him guilty. Thompson did have an attorney present for advice.

We talked to an alternate juror who said, "He was amateur. But if he went to school for it, he could be good. He made some good points."

Prosecutor Lance Pope said it was his first case against a defendent representing himself. "It was tough, but he has every right to do it."

 Thompson will be sentenced on April 26. He could face 12 to 20 years behind bars.