MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Family members say a Marion County man died during a violent home invasion while trying to shield his wife from gunfire in 2017.
Channel 9 reporter Myrt Price spoke with the same family members just one day after one of the two suspects in the crime was found guilty.
The family said it has been tough to relive the nightmare but they are happy with the verdict.
The family said they will be in court next week looking for justice when the second suspect goes on trial.
“My heart dropped. My eyes were flooded with tears, and I was sitting down next to my sister Marian, and I just grabbed her arm, and we both just started crying,” said Natasha Johnson.
It has been a rough three years for Johnson.
Channel 9 first talked to Johnson shortly after two of her loved ones had been killed.
In January 2017, robbers broke into Johnson’s sister and brother-in-law’s home and demanded cash.
Surveillance cameras recorded video of the robbers and their getaway car.
During the break in, deputies said there were numerous people inside, including young kids.
Investigators said suspects opened fire and shot and killed Bailey Zylo, 18 and Andy Fockler, 38.
Fockler died shielding his wife from the bullets.
Weeks after the double homicide, deputies arrested and charged Isaiah Richard and his cousin, Emanuel Tuggerson, with the murders.
During a 2017 jailhouse interview, Tuggerson said he was innocent.
The jury didn’t buy, it and Tuggerson was given two life sentences.
"I can’t believe how he got up there and he bold-face lied to you, and even with the interview with police, he bold-face lied to them,” Johnson said. “We wanted the death penalty, but this was the next best thing.”
The trial jury selection for the trial of Richard will start Monday.
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