Burney Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder During March 2018 Robbery of Spin City Sweepstakes

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Cecil Burney II, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Felony Murder, and two counts of Armed Robbery while Wearing a Hood or Mask. Burney now faces a mandatory sentence of life in Florida State Prison. Sentencing is scheduled to be set by the Honorable Bruce Anderson the week of Sept. 30, 2019.

On March 11, 2018, Burney and his two cousins robbed an adult arcade at 10095 Beach Blvd. Burney and one of the accomplices were armed with semi-automatic handguns, while the third man was armed with an assault rifle. Surveillance video shows the men enter the business in masks and hoods, take money by force, and attempt to neutralize the arcade’s armed security guard. While the guard was able to shoot and kill one of the men, investigation revealed that Burney shot and killed his other accomplice at close range as the two attempted to flee from the business. Further investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and additional video footage led to the group’s vehicle being identified. The vehicle contained a black sweatshirt similar to the one the men wore during the crime — that sweatshirt tested positive for Burney’s blood DNA. Burney acknowledged to several family members that he was present at the scene.

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