Former Jacksonville teacher found guilty of beating child to death

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A jury found a former Jacksonville teacher accused of beating his daughter to death with a piece of lumber guilty on all charges.

John Norfleet was found guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse in the case of his 4-year-old daughter's death.

Police said he and his wife Shavonn Norfleet beat 4-year-old Jada Norfleet with a piece of lumber, until her heart stopped.

Investigators said the abuse had gone on for at least a couple of months.

Both pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

John Norfleet declared his wife's innocence in a letter to the judge.

He said Shavonn "never committed child abuse nor any other crime against our daughters" and asked she be exonerated from the case and released immediately.

He said she was not present for and did not condone any acts alleged by the charges.

The letter further reads:

We both loved Jada dearly, as we do our remaining daughters. ... It is absolutely senseless and outrageous to believe that either of us intentionally abused and/or murdered our daughter, which we both stand accused of at this moment. Our loved ones and peers know that we strive to live according to the Word and Spirit of God."

Last week, a judge allowed a jury to see graphic pictures of the injuries to 4-year-old Jada Norfleet.

Investigators say the Norfleets had no prior criminal history and the Florida Department of Children and Families had not had any previous contact with Jada.

John Norfleet will be sentenced April 4.

Cox Media Group