Closing arguments are scheduled to begin this afternoon in the trial of a Broward man, who is accused of murdering the teenage girl who was eight months pregnant with his son.
The accused, now 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder – one for the Oct. 2, 2009 shooting of a 17-year old girl, and one for the baby boy the girl was due to deliver a month later.
As the evidentiary portion of the trial comes to an end, each side will be given the opportunity to present their closing arguments. This is where the attorneys for each side get to argue to the jury what they believe the evidence shows.
The accused faces life in prison if convicted. Because he was under 18 at the time the crime was committed, the death penalty is not an option.
The life sentence is a mandatory sentence, as Florida law requires that first-degree murder convictions mandate life sentences. There is no parole in Florida, so life in prison is literally life in prison.
Eric Matheny is a criminal attorney serving Miami-Dade County. He has handled murder cases, including at the trial level. Call today to discuss your case.