VERDICT: Moss guilty in murder of Carlos Rose

Today in Appomattox County Circuit Court, Enrico Andre Moss was found guilty of first degree murder for his involvement in the Oct. 20, 2020 homicide of 45-year-old Bedford County resident Carlos L. Rose.

The jury trial, which lasted two days, wrapped up at 5:20 p.m. today when the jury announced it had reached a unanimous verdict. The jury deliberated approximately two hours and 10 minutes before reaching its decision.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 21. Moss, 31, of Appomattox, faces a maximum of life in prison.

Moss was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit abduction to extort money or benefit, abduction to extort money or benefit, conspiracy to conceal a dead body, concealing a dead body, two counts of arson and one count of destruction of property valued at over $1,000.

Rose's charred remains were discovered Oct. 21, 2020 in a 2002 GMC Yukon that was set ablaze the night before in the Buckingham-Appomattox State Forest of Appomattox County. Rose's corpse was later identified through DNA testing. It was determined that he had died of gunshot wounds to the head and chest by two other suspects in the case at another location prior to the vehicle being set on fire.

Moss did not shoot Rose but, according to evidence presented by the Commonwealth, was instrumental in arranging for Rose to be abducted in an attempt to extort money, and also in the attempt to conceal the fatal shooting by lighting the Yukon on fire with Rose's corpse inside laying on the back seat. The vehicle was registered in the name of Rose's wife, Charlita, who had reported Rose missing on Oct. 21 after she was unable to locate him on the evening of Oct. 20.

On Wednesday, photographs of the crime scene were shown to the jury, which included extensive damage to the Yukon and a partial view of Rose's remains, which drew some gasps from those in attendance. Rose's limbs were almost completely burned off, as well as part of his abdomen.

Rose was abducted by gunpoint on the evening of Oct. 20 in the Madison Heights area where he was parked in the Yukon on an off-road wooded lane with co-defendant Artenna Horsely-Robey, engaging in sexual activity.

While in the Yukon, Robey contacted Moss by cell phone and informed him of where they were located. According to Robey's testimony Wednesday, Moss was jealous and angry over finding prior text messages between Robey and Rose that mentioned their sexual relationship and wanted Robey to tell her when and where they were meeting in the future. Moss and Robey share a child together.

Moss quickly showed up at the site with co-defendants Mik'Tavis E. Green and Keyanta K. Robinson. Robey got out of the Yukon and got into Moss's 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The two followed behind Robinson, who drove the Yukon while Rose was in the back seat with Green. Moss had planned for everyone to go to Rose's home to retrieve money but during the drive from Madison Heights toward Lynchburg, Rose was shot to death.

Robinson pulled over and he and Green ran from the Yukon. However, Moss asked what happened and was told Rose was shot after reaching for a gun. The pair got into Moss's vehicle, which left the scene briefly before returning. During that time, a plan to dispose of Rose and the Yukon was concocted.

Today's witness for the Commonwealth was FBI Special Agent Jeremy D'Errico, who detailed the cell phone usage records of the co-defendants and Rose from area towers, as well as the tracking device on Moss's Passat. The recorded activities appeared to collaborate with Wednesday's testimony by Robey of the timeline and location of events.

Moss's attorney, Jason Anthony, painted Robey as an unreliable witness because she had lied on multiple occasions to police investigators following her arrest. On Wednesday, Robey admitted to lying in the past but claimed to be truthful on the witness stand during this trial.

Anthony also cast a dark shadow on Rose's character due to his reputation as a known marijuana dealer in the Lynchburg area. He also referred to Rose as a "rapist" because of his sexual activities with Robey, which began when she was 11-years old and continued until Rose's death, a total of 18 years.

Appomattox County Commonwealth Attorney Les Fleet asked the jury to not be distracted by Rose's past deeds and other "rabbit trails" and instead focus on the matter at hand, the evidence pertaining to the homicide.

The defense did not call any witnesses during the trial.

Robey and Robinson are still facing trials in the case. Robinson, charged with first degree murder and other charges, is set for a jury trial that begins March 8. Robey's trial date has not yet been set. She faces similar charges.

Green, 23, of Prospect, pleaded guilty to second degree murder and other charges Jan. 5 and is scheduled to be sentenced May 25.

Also on Jan. 5, another co-defendant, Montel S. Croner, 27, of Concord, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of arson and concealing a dead body for providing Moss with gasoline in two containers. Croner was sentenced to 10 years suspended. He claimed to not know what purpose the gasoline was intended.

Find out more in the upcoming Jan. 18 issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.