JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A jury has found Raymond Matthew Austin, Jr. guilty of murder in the first degree, kidnapping with a firearm, and armed robbery. The jury returned the guilty verdict Thursday evening.
Austin was convicted in the 2010 kidnapping and murder of 83-year-old Charles Soukup. Austin, Shanda Merritt, Corey Harrington, and Marquavious Avery, kidnapped Soukup from the Jacksonville International Airport and then killed him for his rental car.
After the murder, Austin and Merritt used the stolen car in the attempted murder of Merritt's ex-boyfriend.
A total of six people were arrested in connection with Soukup's death. Austin and Merritt were convicted earlier this year for the attempted murder of Merritt's ex-boyfriend, Carl Davis. Austin was sentenced to 45 years in prison in that case. Merritt will be sentenced for the attempted murder next week. Austin now faces life in prison for Soukup's murder. He will be sentenced the week of December 17, 2012.
