DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The man who shot and killed a beloved jewelry store owner in Daytona Beach learned he will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty. As John Craiger stood before a judge on Tuesday, the victim’s family watched and listened. “I just want him to go to prison, and come out in a body bag,” Leigh Osta, the victim’s wife, told WESH 2. Leigh Osta said Craiger seemed unfazed.
It happened over the summer. Police say that’s when Craiger walked into Volusia Gold and Diamonds, approached owner Gus Osta and without warning, shot him. “He called his name and it was done,” Leigh Osta said.
Leigh said after Craiger shot her husband, other employees jumped in. One hit Craiger over the head with a bronze statue and another started punching him. Leigh Osta’s son who worked at the store had a gun and shot Craiger.
Craiger survived. But Gus Osta, a beloved fixture in Daytona Beach, did not. The motive is unclear. Craiger sold jewelry to Osta all the time and Leigh said recently tried to peddle rings. “I think it was six to eight Las Vegas-style big bobble-type jewelry unsellable around here,” she said. “He just wanted to attach himself. There was very much an obsession. For (my) husband and my family, this guy had no one.”
Craiger, who is 83 years old, will spend the rest of his life behind bars. The Osta family says they plan to spend the rest of their lives keeping the jewelry store open.
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