JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — (Note: The video above is from a previous story)
A jury decided Monday to spare a man from the death sentence after he was found guilty of ordering a hit on UNF employee.
The penalty phase in the death penalty trial for a Jacksonville man found guilty of murder in the death of a UNF employee started Monday.
A jury voted 12 to 0 for life in prison instead of the death sentence for Jecorian McCray. The jury will make a recommendation, but the judge will do the sentencing down the line.
He was found guilty of first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with a witness in the 2016 killing of Joe Brenton last week.
McCray, 28, was in jail when he allegedly ordered his then 17-year-old stepbrother to shoot down Brenton in his own home.
Brenton was set to testify in McCray's burglary trial the day he was killed.
Last Wednesday, prosecutors called the phone conversations between McCray and his stepbrother Dakarai Maxwell a confession. The defense countered, saying McCray did not pull the trigger.
Brenton's wife and daughter also testified in the death penalty case, following testimony from an officer who responded to the call. Brenton's daughter, Josie, said she and Maxwell and McCray were all friends. Maxwell is accused of shooting her father over 16 times, according to the prosecution.
Since his arrest, McCray has been arrested an additional five times in jail for charges including battery, attempted escape and lewd and lascivious acts.