A judge has sentenced a man to a little more than a decade in prison for his participation in the shooting death of a man in a drugs transaction in late 2023.
Here's what we know:
What's the defendant's name? Jaylin Robert Johnson.
Who was the judge? The lawyers? Circuit Judge Steven Rogers. Representing Johnson was Shane Bachman and prosecuting the case was Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith.
What was Johnson's charge? Third-degree murder.
Why was Johnson sentenced? A six-member jury on July 1 found Johnson guilty as charged. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered by the judge. Johnson's sentencing hearing was held Sept. 23.
Was anyone else charged? Yes, several people. David Smith III shot and killed the victim, Jose Valliant, prosecutors say.
He already has pleaded no contest to third-degree murder with a firearm and been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Kevin Latrell Coleman Jr., Tulana Joshua and Peter Jackson Matthews faced lesser charges and their cases have been resolved, court records show.
About the case: According to Ocala police and testimony provided in court, Valliant went to the Burger King at 2301 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala on Nov. 3, 2023. There was an altercation and he was shot while in a vehicle occupied by Smith and Johnson in the Burger King parking lot.
Valliant was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
From their investigation, authorities said the shooting was over a drug deal between Smith and Valliant that went sour. The reported deal occurred in the parking lot of the restaurant, police said. Though Johnson did not pull the trigger, because he was in the vehicle, the law says he's an accomplice.
What happened in court? The prosecutor said drugs are never a reason to shoot someone and the shooting should never have happened. According to state guidelines, Johnson's lowest prison sentence was 124.65 months. Prosecutor Smith asked for a higher sentence.
Smith read aloud a letter from the victim's mother. She said her son was a loving man and father, and his death has changed her life forever. She said her son didn't deserve to die the way he did.
Multiple family and friends spoke on behalf of defendant Johnson. They included his mother, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
They said Johnson, 23, is a family man, mentor, motivator and God-fearing person who is always respectful to his mother, family and everyone.
Family members said Johnson never harmed anyone, played football with the victim, and wanted to do better for himself and his family.
Those addressing the judge asked for mercy, telling him this is not Johnson, and he should be viewed as a youthful offender. They said they're sorry for the victim's family, and their loss.
When it was his turn to speak, Johnson apologized to the community and his family for what happened and told the court he's in pain. He said he's not a violent person, and promise to learn a trade so that when he's released from prison, he can be a productive member of society.
His lawyer asked the judge to consider the fact that when the crime was committed, his client was a youth. He asked the judge to sentence Johnson as a youthful offender, and not 15 years in prison, like his co-defendant.
The judge said jurors were crying about the verdict.
The judge said he's not going to hold Johnson on the same level as his co-defendant. He added that his family relies on him.
Johnson was sentenced to 10.38 years in prison, with 99 days of credit for time already served at the Marion County Jail.
Before leaving the courtroom, Johnson's family told him they loved him.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: He didn't pull the trigger. The jury found him guilty of murder | Exclusive
