TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Family and friends of Dan Markel waited five years for this day.
WTXL spoke to Reggie Garcia.
He lived in the same neighborhood as Markel and worked beside him.
Garcia remembers the professor as a passionate attorney with a love for debating and teaching.
He says when the murder happened, many in the Betton Hills community thought it was a burglary that led to a shooting.
He said when they found out what happened, it affected the whole neighborhood.
"Several of the neighbors, including myself were just listening and trying to learn. It's very chilling when a 41 year old law professor, neighbor, regular person, is quote on quote the intended victim, that's code that it was a hired, professional hit," said Garcia.
Reggie Garcia says Markel believed in restorative justice.
He says Markel wouldn't have wanted his killer to get the death penalty.
