A man was convicted of attempted murder in Orlando just two years after serving 20 years in prison for murder.
An Orange County jury found 40-year-old Michael Seawright guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder (with a Weapon), Robbery with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon after he shot and robbed another man at a homeless camp.
On June 15th, Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a shooting in the 1200 block of West Miller Avenue in Orlando. As deputies arrived, a female witness flagged them down and directed them to a tent where deputies found the victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The witness told deputies she was in a tent with the victim and Seawright when the defendant pulled out a gun and demanded the victim empty his pockets. The victim attempted to grab the gun but Seawright shot him in the process. Seawright left the scene shortly after the robbery.
After interviewing the victim and witnesses, investigators positively identified Seawright as the shooter and issued a warrant for his arrest. Six days after the shooting, deputies canvassing an area near the shooting found Seawright on a bicycle. Deputies arrested him for attempted murder.
Due to the violent nature of the crime and the defendant’s extensive criminal history, prosecutors from our Violent Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
During the trial, Seawright claimed he did not know the victim or the witness and said he was not the person who shot the victim. However, the State proved he did know both the victim and the witness. Additionally, investigators located the weapon used in the shooting, which was traced back to the defendant.
After a three-day trial, a local jury convicted Seawright on all three charges. He will be sentenced later this year. Since this violent felony occurred within three years of Seawright’s prison release from a 20-year murder sentence, Seawright qualifies as a prison release re-offender. This designation makes him eligible for the statutory maximum sentence of life in prison.
