A convicted Florida killer was sentenced to death for the murder of a 19-year-old witness in a home invasion trial.
The Honorable Judge Lisa T. Munyon in Orange County sentenced convicted murderer Bessman Charles Obinna Okafor to Death for the 2012 murder of 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar. The sentence, which has gripped the greater Orlando and Central Florida community, reflects the relentless pursuit of justice by the father of the slain victim and the State of Florida.
“We can never bring back our Alex, but today’s verdict brings us another step closer to justice and closure. If I have to go to round eight of keeping this individual behind bars – I’ll go to eight, twelve, fifteen, you name it,” stated Rafael Zaldivar, father of the victim. “Going through these proceedings for the seventh time, you become immune to it but you never stop fighting for your child.”
“Okafor’s death sentence reflects the gravity of the crime,” said State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Bill Gladson.
Okafor, along with two other accomplices, participated in an Ocoee home invasion back in May of 2012.
Witnesses Alex Zaldivar and another individual were set to provide testimony against Okafor and his accomplices. Before they could, Okafor orchestrated their murders just a day before the trial on September 10, 2012.
Alex succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, while the other two victims were both shot in the head but miraculously survived. They would later testify against Okafor.
A jury previously convicted Okafor in connection with Zaldivar’s murder in the home case and recommended Okafor be sentenced to death, but it was an 11-1 vote and not unanimous so he got a life sentence. However, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law which allows Florida juries to impose the death penalty with at least eight out of 12 votes. A new jury recommended the death penalty for Okafor by a 9-3 vote.
Bessman Okafor’s execution date will be decided at a later time.
The case was presented by Chief Assistant State Attorney Ryan Williams, and Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Jamie McManus, who have worked tirelessly to pursue justice on behalf of the victims and the people of the great State of Florida.
