JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Deshawn Leon Green, 28, was convicted Friday on charges of First Degree Felony Murder with Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
In March 2009, Robert Kearney, 24, was shot and killed at the Confederate Point Apartments. Kearney was standing outside of the apartments with Katherine George and others when the shooting happened. George was also shot in the incident but recovered from her injuries.
The murder was retaliation for a shooting earlier that night during which one of the men standing near Kearney shot at Green's relatives. Witnesses testified that when Green drove into the apartment complex with an assault rifle, at least 13 shots were fired at Kearney and George.
"Deshawn Green chose his lifestyle and tried to blame others for his own cowardly actions. We are gratified that the jury felt it was time for him to take some responsibility. But for Deshawn Green, young men like Robert Kearney would be more than just painful memories for their families," said Assistant State Attorney Rich Mantei.
Green was convicted last year in another retaliation murder from August 2009. He was sentenced to life in prison. Green is also charged in a third murder from April 2009. A trial date has not been set in that case. Green faces the death penalty for this conviction. The death penalty phase begins November 14.
