Jury Finds Moreland Guilty of Attempted Murder after Date

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Jamal Moreland Jr. guilty of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery. With the verdict, Moreland faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will sentence Moreland at a later date.

On Feb. 19, 2023, the victim picked up Moreland for a date; the two had connected on an app a few days prior and made plans. They went to a bowling alley and liquor store, and eventually they went to grab something to eat. The victim said they argued about who would pay for the food, so the victim decided to end the date and take Moreland home. The victim dropped Moreland off at his house before 1 a.m. Shortly after, Moreland texted the victim and asked for $45, and the victim told him no. The victim returned to Moreland’s house to talk, and Moreland got into the front passenger seat. Moreland pulled out a gun and demanded money from the victim. After the victim told Moreland he did not have the money, Moreland fired two shots inside the victim’s truck. The victim drove away and heard two more shots fired. The victim, suffering from a gunshot wound, crashed his truck on Jones Road; first responders arrived on scene and took him to the hospital for his injuries.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Crystal Ganpath-Freed and Katherina Brown.