Tyrone Mosby found guilty of attempted murder

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A jury on Friday found Tyrone Mosby guilty of attempted murder in the shooting of 16-year-old Danielle Sampson.

Mosby shot Sampson as Mosby and a group of others were fleeing a robbery in Pine Hills last year.

Deliberations began Thursday and lasted through early Friday afternoon. The jury found Mosby guilty of attempted murder, burglary, possession of a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting from a moving vehicle and aggravated battery.

Three hours into deliberations on Thursday, jurors seemed clearly undecided and asked the court to replay the audio testimony of six witnesses. The jurors were sent home for the night around 5 p.m.

"Danielle Sampson being shot is really bad. There's an inclination to convict somebody just because you feel bad," said defense attorney Justin Bleakley.

On Thursday, the judge ruled that prosecutors could not enter more evidence in the case after the state and defense had already rested their cases Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, Mosby made some phone calls from jail since the trial started, and the prosecution wanted the jury to hear those calls.

It has been an emotional trial for Danielle's family, her mother said.

"She's not the same kid because of a senseless act, and the violence needs to stop," said Alma Fletcher, Sampson's mother.

Sampson's family said the 16-year-old got justice.

"Danielle is a fighter. There's no way she'd miss this day for the world. She's a fighter. So we wheeled her on in there," said Baje Fletcher, Sampson's sister.

Mosby barely looked at Sampson when her family brought her into the courtroom.

Her family doesn't know if she is aware of what is going on, but they hope someone pays for the shooting that left her with serious brain trauma.

Mosby didn't testify, but public defenders said the state had weak evidence from the start.

Their star witness, burglary victim Chester Joseph, who claims Mosby was shooting at him when Danielle was struck, also testified that he had lied to police during the investigation.

Another prosecution witness, Andre Enmond, refused to talk once he took the witness stand.

Another man who agreed to testify against Mosby refused when it was his time to take the stand. He was given jail time for not cooperating and the jury did not get to hear his account.

On Friday night, Mosby's family told Channel 9 that they are planning to raise money for a new lawyer to fight for a new trial.

"My child is innocent. That's what I'm saying. And the one that probably shot that child is running around free today," said Yolanda Jones, Mosy's mother.

Sampson's mother said she has nothing to say to the man found guilty.

"I am just thinking about my child. Not that I'm selfish, but I need to think about her right now," said Alma Fletcher.

In the end, the defendant faces spending the rest of his life behind bars.

Sampson's family faces the rest of their lives hanging on to the hope that somehow, the young girl will truly come back to them.

"It's a long journey for us, but we believe in God, that he will start the work and we finish it," said Alma Fletcher.

Sampson's family said the outcome was proof to them that the judicial system works.

Mosby will be sentenced April 11. Sampson's family said they will at the sentencing.

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