Murder charges likely won't come in Leon Bennett case, law expert

UPDATE 10/31/2019: The second suspect linked to the shooting death of local father, Leon Bennett, pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

No one was ever charged with murder in the case of Leon Bennett. He was shot after a fight outside Pier Cantina in June of last year.

On Thursday, Shaquille Walker admitted to both carrying a concealed gun and tampering with evidence, according to court records.

His brother, Jose Lebron, was sentenced to serve one year for tampering with evidence.

Action News Jax reached out the Leon Bennett's mother. She said, "I am use to being asked a question regarding the case. I can say we are very happy with the plea and look forward to closure and the beginning of what justice we will have. Leon is destiny missed and not a day goes by I don't tell him good morning! I couldn't wait to get home and tell him how court went today. Yes, I talk to an urn."

PREVIOUS STORY: Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson believes murder charges will not be filed in the case of a local father shot and killed in Jacksonville Beach in June.

Lakea Pringle hasn't stopped thinking about what happened that night when her boyfriend, Leon Bennett, was killed in front of her.

Police have brothers Jose Lebron and Shaquille Walker in custody, but they have been charged with lesser crimes.

Police said Lebron and Walker turned themselves in last month in Hawaii.

"We weren't bothering you, we were no threat to you, you opened your door and fired shots," Pringle said.

New court documents obtained by Action News Jax say Bennett was heavily involved in the fight outside Pier Cantina.

They also state at a second encounter between the two groups, he opened the passenger door of a car driven by LeBron, and tried to punch Walker and pull him out of the car by his shirt.

That's when the documents say Walker fired two shots.

RELATED: Family of slain father outraged persons of interests were granted bond | Police release new video of person, car linked to deadly Jacksonville Beach shooting

Pringle was there that night and refutes those claims.

"The shooting may ultimately be justified because an individual tried to break in through a car, hurt people that were in the car, and the occupants of that car have a right to defend themselves," Carson said.

Based on this, Carson does not believe murder charges will come.

"It wouldn't surprise me if this did not go any further, there where it is right now," Carson said.

It's something Pringle won't accept.  She's still trying to figure how she'll tell 2-year-old Lucas what happened to his father.

"He knows something's missing," Pringle said.  "He knows somethings wrong.  He never sees his mom just cry."

LeBron has a bond hearing Friday. Pringle said she'll be there.

Both the State Attorney's Office and Jacksonville Beach Police Department declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

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