James Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder, Tampering with Evidence

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Kenneth James was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder and Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence (Capital Felony). With the verdict, James faces a mandatory sentence of life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Tatiana Salvador will sentence James at a later date.

On Sept. 9, 2023, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4200 block of Melrose Avenue for an injured person.  They found the victim, Mikyh White, in the roadway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head.  White was transported and later died from his injuries.

Surveillance footage from the area showed a white Ford Fusion stop in front of a home. A gunshot is heard and the driver exits the car.  He then walks to the passenger side, opens the door, drags White from the car, and leaves him in the roadway. White was covered in blood and did not move. The driver was observed wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the “CK” on the front.

The investigation revealed White had been at a recording studio with his best friend and James.  Prior to leaving the studio, White was is seen getting into the passenger side of the Fusion driven by James.  Additional evidence was gathered in the form of location data, cellphone data, and DNA to confirm that James was the shooter.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lauren Anderson and Elizabeth Brown.