A defendant was recently sentenced for a murder at a Daytona Beach apartment complex where he shot the victim in the head.
During a hearing, defendant James Simmons entered a no-contest plea to Second-Degree Murder (Firearm) and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted In-State Felon. He was then sentenced to life in prison for the crimes.
On July 9, 2021, Simmons was seen – on video surveillance and by multiple witnesses – lurking around a Daytona Beach apartment complex carrying a handgun. After about an hour, the victim came out of his apartment unit, and Simmons shot him in the head.
The victim died from his injuries at the scene. The defendant was arrested a few days later at a hotel in Daytona Beach. Officers located the firearm used to kill the victim in Simmons’s hotel room.
“Another violent offender off the streets. Our commitment to keep you safe is unwavering,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case.
The Central Florida case was investigated by the Daytona Beach Police Department.
Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak successfully prosecuted the case for the state. The Honorable Kathryn Weston presided over the case and pronounced sentence.
