Williams-Daniels Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Cedric Trevell Williams-Daniels, 19, of Jacksonville, was recently found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder and Armed Robbery. Williams-Daniels, who has an extensive juvenile criminal history, now faces a maximum of Life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Steven Whittington the week of July 31, 2017.

According to court documents, testimony, and evidence presented at trial, Mark Taylor, 50, arrived at Highlanders Apartments just after 1 a.m. on Sept. 19, 2014, following a text exchange with Williams-Daniels. Minutes later, Taylor was shot and killed during the course of a robbery. Taylor’s vehicle, phone, and wallet were stolen during the robbery. Later in the day, Taylor’s cellphone and wallet were found in a drain along with a shirt that contained Williams-Daniels’ DNA. Police later recovered a letter from Williams-Daniels to a potential witness telling the witness not to speak with police. Handwriting analysis confirmed the letter had been written by Williams-Daniels.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Chris Huband and Korey Milo.