ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man convicted for the deaths of two men in Taft is asking for another chance to defend himself in court.
Laureano, Larry, Romero is serving 40 years for the deaths of Deangelo Cox and Nick Lewis in 2013, who were known for wanting to better the community.
Romero shot and killed Cox, 22, and Lewis, 21, inside his Taft home. It's believed the men were trying to talk to Romero about ending a neighborhood feud.
"I just want to say I apologize and I'm sorry for what's happened," Romero said in court.
Romero faced the families of the victims as he was sentenced to 40 years in prison on murder charges.
But now, Romero claims he should have been able to claim the “stand your ground” defense.
Romero presented 19 pages in court Monday during a hearing, explaining why he wants to withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial.
Channel 9 anchor Nancy Alvarez talked to the mother of one of the victims, who said the attempt at a new trial is forcing her to relive her pain.
“It brought back feelings I thought I was able to handle already,” said Lewis’ mother, Newanda Hodge.
Romero wrote in the letter that his lawyers misinformed him, saying that "because he is a convicted felon he cannot claim stand your ground."
During his sentencing hearing, Romero, who authorities said is a known drug dealer, said he was afraid for his life after break-ins at his home. He claimed at least one of his victims had been looking through his windows.
In the letter, he said he thought Lewis and Cox, who worked at the local Boys and Girls Club, were armed, leaving him no choice but to shoot them when he felt threatened. But the victims were unarmed.
Hodge said she doesn’t believe Romero’s story.
“This guy took advantage of their trust,” Hodge said. “Take responsibility for your actions. That’s my only message to him.”
Legal analyst Belvin Perry said it's likely a judge will hold an evidentiary hearing into Romero's claims.
Cox Media Group
