Jury Recommends Death for Gerald Murray for 1990 Murder

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury recommended the death penalty 11-1 for Gerald Murray for the 1990 murder of Alice Vest. Murray was previously convicted of First-Degree Murder, Burglary with Assault, and Sexual Battery with a Deadly Weapon; he was provided a new sentencing hearing based on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hurst v. Florida. The Honorable Mark Borello will sentence Murray at a later date.

On Sept. 16, 1990, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to Vest’s Mandarin home after neighbors found her dead inside. The home was in disarray, which was not typical. Vest was found on her bed with a cord wrapped around her neck that was used to strangle her along with slice and puncture wounds to her upper body. Vest was stabbed and beaten to death with multiple items found near her body.

The investigation and evidence concluded Murray — who lived down the street from Vest —along with codefendant Steven Taylor, robbed, sexually assaulted, and killed Vest. Taylor was previously tried, convicted, and sentenced to death.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Bernie de la Rionda and Mark Caliel.