Photos for Headline Surfer / Daytona Beach mugshot of Danitto Simpson and State Attorney RJ Larizza of the 7th Judicial Circuit encompassing Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DELAND, Fla. – After a four-day trial, a Volusia County jury found defendant Danitto Simpson guilty as charged of first-degree murder with a firearm, and immediately following the verdict, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Simpson was convicted of first-degree murder Thursday in the shooting death of Donnell Williams, 24, during a four-day trial at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.
Multiple witnesses identified Simpson as the shooter, and the Daytona Beach Police Department investigated the homicide and later arrested him.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Simpson and the victim were arguing in the courtyard of an apartment complex when Simpson pulled out a gun and shot Williams in the stomach.
While Williams was running away, Simpson chased him down and shot him a second time in the back.
Williams later died at Halifax Health Hospital in Daytona Beach.
“This case marks the second life sentence this week for violent crimes committed in the 7th Circuit,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “Ridding our communities of dangerous criminals is a mission we pursue every single day.”
“This case marks the second life sentence this week for violent crimes committed in the 7th Circuit,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “Ridding our communities of dangerous criminals is a mission we pursue every single day.”
Assistant State Attorneys Mike Willard and Philip Dunlop successfully tried the case for the state. Circuit Judge Karen Foxman presided over the case and pronounced a sentence: Life behind bars without parole for Danitto Simpson.
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