A Central Florida defendant was convicted of murder, carjacking and burglary after shooting his victim five times and driving away in his car.
After a five-day trial, a Volusia County jury found defendant Sammy McKnight guilty as charged of First-Degree Felony Murder, Carjacking with a Firearm, Burglary while Armed with a Firearm and Possession of Firearm by Convicted In-State Felon.
Immediately following the verdict, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison.
On the evening of June 17, 2022, McKnight talked with a man for about an hour in the parking lot of a DeBary hotel. Video surveillance then depicted the two men in a physical altercation before the defendant shot the victim five times.
After the victim was shot, McKnight jumped into the victim’s car and drove away. The victim ran inside a nearby restaurant to get help, but he collapsed and died from his injuries.
The defendant was arrested four days later in the Daytona Beach area.
“Your prosecutors continue to make justice a reality for the citizens of the 7th Circuit,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said after the jury returned with the verdict. “The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison – a fate he richly deserves.”
The case was investigated by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorneys Andrew Urbanak and Erica Kane successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Leah Case presided over the case and pronounced sentence.
