Man who caused ‘debilitating injury’ gets prison time

Published 2:50 pm Monday, July 3, 2017

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 23-year-old Calera man will spend nearly two years in prison after he pleaded guilty recently to causing “debilitating” injuries to an Alabaster man during a 2013 robbery.

Joshua Crosier

Joshua Christian Crosier, who lists an address on Carrington Lane in Calera, pleaded guilty to one felony count of first-degree assault on June 12.

Shelby County Circuit Court judge Bill Bostick originally sentenced Crosier to 10 years in prison, but suspended the prison sentence to 20 months, and ordered Crosier to not have contact with the victim in the case after he is released. If Crosier violates the conditions of his release, his entire 10-year sentence could be reinstated.

Because first-degree assault is a Class A felony, Crosier could have faced up to life in prison for the crime. A first-degree robbery charge was dropped against Crosier through a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The Alabaster Police Department arrested Joshua Crosier, along with Donald Crosier, Justin Crosier and Alexander Berryhill, on Nov. 7, 2013 after responding to a Nov. 5, 2013, robbery in the 1100 block of First Avenue West.

According to the suspects’ indictments, they allegedly used a gun to “cause serious physical injury to another person” during the robbery.

Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney previously said the suspects allegedly used a shotgun to assault – but not shoot – the victim in the case after the victim discovered the suspects in his house.

Rigney previously said the victim suffered “debilitating” injuries in the incident, and was treated and released from UAB Hospital.

According to their indictments, the suspects allegedly attempted to steal an Xbox 360 and the shotgun from the victim’s house.

As of July 3, Berryhill had pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree assault, and a first-degree robbery charge had been dropped against him. He is set to be sentenced on Aug. 21.

Robbery and assault charges against Donald Crosier and Justin Crosier are still pending in Shelby County Circuit Court.