By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A longtime friend of Maurice Robinson, who is on trial for his involvement in the 2012  murder of Z&H Mart store owner Hecham Abualeinan, says Robinson and co-defendants drove to his house the same night of the robbery/murder to burn clothes.

Mike Miller, former owner of Miller Tire, testified Tuesday he has known Robinson since the 37-year-old was a child. Miller told the court the night of the robbery Robinson called him to ask if he could stop by, and the man agreed.

Miller said once there he spoke briefly with Robinson, who was accompanied by his cousin Kevin Canzator and Christopher Watson, both of whom have pleaded guilty to their involvement.

Canzator, who is related to Robinson by marriage, pleaded guilty in 2015 and is expected to be released from prison in 2030. Watson, who testified last week in the trial he felt indebted to Robinson, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

Investigators said Robinson planned the crimes and manipulated Canzator and Watson into carrying out the crime. Canzator drove the three to the Z&H Mart that night and Watson, wearing a Halloween mask went inside where he robbed and shot Abualeinan.

Abualeinan died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the side of his head.

Watson was addicted to crack cocaine and had in the past received the drugs free from Robinson. Robinson told Watson he could pay him back by robbing the store. Prior to the Z&H Mart store robbery and murder, the three planned and robbed the Neighborhood Market on West Horah Street twice.

The three men were seen on Z&H Mart store surveillance video and charged not long after the video was released to media outlets.

Robinson told Miller they had just “done a job,” Miller testified.

Miller said he saw money in Robinson’s hands and in the passenger seat of the car they were riding inside.

Authorities say the same night Watson went to the Mooresville Road store with Canzator and Robinson, robbed it and shot Abualeinan, the men destroyed evidence used in the crimes, namely Watson’s clothes.

Robinson asked if he could burn some items, to which Miller said he wanted to know what was in it for him. Robinson gave him a marijuana joint. Miller, who frequently lit a burn barrel most nights, let Watson burn his clothes and shoes.

Miller told jurors Tuesday he believed Watson was burning old rags. He said he thought it was strange that Watson would remove his shoes during a cold night and burn them as well.

Robinson told Watson he’d “buy him some more shoes,” Miller said.

The next morning Miller recognized Robinson on the news.

See more in Wednesday’s paper. The trial resumes Wednesday.