MIAMI, FL. (AP) - A South Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting a woman and trying to kill five others during a domestic dispute.
The Miami Herald reports that Circuit Judge Nushin Sayfie handed down Charles Johnson's life sentence Thursday, despite a jury voting 9-3 in favor of execution. The judge explained that current uncertainty in Florida's death penalty might expose the victim's family to years of legal wrangling and court hearings.
Johnson was previously convicted in the January 2011 slaying of 22-year-old Luvonia Williams. Prosecutors say the shooting occurred after Luvonia's sister broke up with David Johnson, Charles Johnson's brother.
Investigators say the brothers shot into the crowd outside a north Miami home, wounding three people. Williams was struck and tried to escape. Prosecutors believe Charles Johnson fired two final, fatal shots as she lay on the ground.
