Man tied to violent Osceola County slaying agrees to plea deal

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A man tied to a violent Osceola County shooting spree has agreed to help prosecutors try to convict his friends so he can get less prison time.   

Prosecutors say Juan Sebastian Muriel was the driver on the night a group killed Eric Roopnarine.

Prosecutors in the case said they don't have the evidence to prove Muriel, 20, was involved in the random shootings, like the one that took the life of David Guerrero, but they do have enough to tie him to the slaying of Roopnarine.

Prosecutors have agreed that Muriel can be sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of probation, in exchange for testimony against his friends Victoria Rios, David Damus, and Konrad Schafer.

Investigators said the group went to Roopnarine's residence to rob him, with Rios pretending to be a prostitute.

Investigators said Rios told them that Damus shot Roopnarine, 22, and then Schafer, 15, stabbed him.

Prosecutors said Muriel's testimony will be important in the case against Rios, Damus and Schafer.

Muriel was in court Thursday to accept the plea deal.

"I just want justice for my grandson," said Kripanand Ramnarain, Roopnarine's grandfather.

"What do you think should happen to the other three people involved?" Channel 9's Tim Barber asked Ramnarain.

"I am asking for a life sentence," he replied.

Some of Roopnarine's family members don't agree with the plea deal.

Roopnarine's father said he doesn't agree with the plea deal, even though prosecutors believe that Muriel was just the driver when Roopnarine was killed.

He gave Barber a letter he wrote after his son's slaying: "If there is one thing I truly do hope for, it is for those who took him from me to understand what they have done. They have not only taken his life, they have also taken mine."

Channel 9’s Tim Barber is covering the story. Follow @TBarberWFTV for live updates.

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