In the News

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Joshua Allen Whitfield, 26, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder. Whitfield now faces a mandatory Life sentence in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Marianne Aho the week of Oct. 8, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Janae Yvette Taylor, 26, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder and three counts of Robbery. Taylor now faces a mandatory Life sentence in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Linda F. McCallum the week Oct. 8, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Shauna Dee Taylor, 40, of Macclenny, was found guilty by a jury of Aggravated Child Abuse and Child Neglect. Taylor now faces a maximum of 45 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set by the Honorable James Daniel the week of Oct. 1.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Louise Marie Luning, 57, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder. Luning now faces a maximum of 60 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Russell Healey the week of Sept. 10, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces the return by a grand jury of indictments charging three defendants with First-Degree Murder.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announces that the Honorable Steven Whittington sentenced Henry Lee Hayes IV and Kquame Richardson to Life in Florida State Prison.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Jaquan Marquise Lawrence, of Jacksonville, and LaThomas Dennis, of Jacksonville, were found guilty by a jury of four counts of Attempted Manslaughter by Act. Lawrence now faces a maximum of 20 Years and Dennis a maximum of 75 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set by Honorable Russell Healey the week of Sept. 4.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Alejandro Antonio Perez, 22, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Armed Burglary with a Firearm, and Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding. Perez now faces a maximum of Life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set the week of Aug. 20 by the Honorable Steven Whittington.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that the Honorable Steven B. Whittington sentenced Emery Deshon Handy, Jr., 19, of Jacksonville to 50 years in Florida State Prison for Attempted First-Degree Murder with a Deadly Weapon, Armed Robbery, and Burglary with Assault or Battery.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces the return by a grand jury of indictments charging three defendants with First-Degree Murder. With the indictments, each defendant faces a sentence of mandatory life in prison upon conviction.