Authorities in Florida mentioned three males murdered a 17-year-old highschool scholar to forestall her from testifying in courtroom after she accused one of many suspects of sexually assaulting her. Based on WPDE, authorities mentioned 36-year-old Lenard White provided Sheldon Robinson, 21, and Keshawn Woods, 22, cash to kill the sufferer after she reported White for sexual assault.
In an announcement on Thursday, the Division of Justice mentioned the sufferer and her mom went to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Workplace on February 6, 2023, to report that White had sexually assaulted the 17-year-old. White is claimed to have subsequently provided Woods and Robinson $10,000 to kill the sufferer to forestall her from submitting prison prices in opposition to him.
Authorities mentioned Robinson and Woods went to the sufferer and her mom’s dwelling the following day and knocked on the door. The 2 suspects opened hearth after the door was opened, with the sufferer being fatally struck by 4 bullets. The sufferer’s mom additionally sustained gunshot wounds.
Through the federal investigation into the incident, authorities mentioned White, Robinson, and Williams tried to “hinder the investigation by disposing of proof, tampering with witnesses, obstructing justice, and making false statements to legislation enforcement.”
The trio has since been charged with conspiracy to commit homicide for rent, homicide for rent, discharge of a firearm throughout and in relation to a criminal offense of violence which precipitated the dying of the sufferer, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
White and Robinson additionally face further prices of conspiracy to distribute managed substances, tampering with a witness, and obstruction of justice. Robinson’s mom, Janet Williams, has additionally been charged with a number of counts of false statements to federal brokers.
White, Robinson, and Woods every face necessary life imprisonment, or the federal dying penalty if discovered responsible. Williams, alternatively, faces a most penalty of 5 years in federal jail for every of the three false assertion counts, authorities mentioned.
The three males are at present in custody whereas Williams was launched on circumstances together with dwelling detention after her preliminary courtroom look on October 26, 2023.
