Fresno Man Sentenced to 48 Years for Fatal Shooting During Car Burglary in Missouri City

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX — A Fort Bend County jury has sentenced 24-year-old Yosiah Spencer of Fresno to 48 years in prison after convicting him of murder in the 2020 shooting death of Bryan Curry during a vehicle burglary.

The fatal incident occurred in the early morning hours of November 19, 2020. According to prosecutors, Spencer was breaking into a car parked in the driveway of a home in Missouri City when the homeowner, Bryan Curry, confronted him. While still inside the vehicle, Spencer shot Curry and fled the scene with stolen items from the car.

Curry, a father of seven, died from his injuries. Following an investigation led by the Houston Police Department, Spencer was identified and later charged with murder.

Spencer was tried in the 268th District Court, presided over by Judge Steve Rogers. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Janie Korah and Chimaobi Nwankwo.

Murder is a first-degree felony in Texas, carrying a penalty of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Spencer must serve at least 24 years before becoming eligible for parole.

District Attorney Brian M. Middleton stated, “It is fundamental to freedom that we should be safe from harm at our homes. The defendant violated that freedom and senselessly took Mr. Curry’s life in the process.”

Spencer remains in custody at the Fort Bend County Jail pending transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.