Forsyth County man found guilty of 2019 BJ's Brewhouse murder

The man shot and killed another man during an argument over a racial slur.

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — A Forsyth County jury unanimously found a man guilty of second-degree murder and carrying a concealed weapon after consuming alcohol on Monday, July 29, according to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office. The sentencing is in connection to the 2019 shooting of a Winston-Salem man.

Robert Anthony Granato was sentenced for murdering Julius Randolph Sampson Jr. at a BJ’s Brewhouse on Aug. 6, 2019.

Granato had been cut off from ordering alcohol at the bar when he became belligerent toward the bar’s female staff, calling them names, according to the DA.

Sampson interjected and asked that Granato pay his tab and leave. Granato was then escorted out of the bar by Sampson, three female staff members and another man. Once they were outside, Granato argued with Sampson while others asked him to leave.

Granato called Sampson a racial slur and was then pushed. He shot Sampson in the chest with a mini-revolver in retaliation, killing him, the DA said.

Sampson died at the scene.

Granrato was sentenced to 16 to 20 years in prison.

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