TAMPA, Fla. — After two days of deliberations, the jury found all five men guilty in the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell.
As the verdict was read, some people there for the defendants walked out of the courtroom crying.
After the verdict, Mary Harrison, Suni Bell's mother expressed her gratitude to the jury and state attorneys office, and 813 Stop the Violence.
"I don't wish that on anyone," she said of the verdict. "I'm just glad I got justice for my baby."
Harrison was in the car when Suni was murdered. She testified in court about the child's last moments.
"I know I made [Suni] proud like, I know she's smiling from the stars like she's up there, very happy," she said.
Jurors began deliberating at abou 9:30 am Tuesday, going until 5:30 that evening. They returned to the courtroom at 8:30 Wedensday, finalling buzzing bailiffs at about 3:30 to let them know they had come to verdict.
"It was a lot. Like I thought I had to bring my pillows in my cover here, like it was a long process, but we waited, um, I believe in God, so I knew God was going to make a way," Harrison said when asked about about the two day wait.
On Wednesday, the jury asked the following questions and were given these answers.
Question 1: On each count, does it have to be unanimous on the degree of guilty? Example, if 11 people say first degree murder and one person says second degree murder, does that mean they get charged with second degree murder?
Answer 1: I can not provide a response to your hypothetical directly. You must return a unanimous verdict as to the highest offense on which you all agree.
Question 2: If half the people are saying guilty on one count, but the other half are saying not guilty, does that make that a mistrial or not guilty on that count? If we even have one juror disagree on a guilty or not guilty charge. Does this cause a mistrial for the entire case, or specific charge in which we disagree?
Answer 2: You must reach a unanimous verdict as to each count as it relates to each specific defendant. If you are not able to come to a unanimous decision as to any one count, there would be a mistrial as to only that count. And if you are unable to reach a decision as to one count, there would be a mistrial as to only that specific count, it will not affect the unanimous decisions as to the other counts. You must consider all counts individually as they relate to the defendant.
The sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 27.
WATCH: VERDICT: Jury finds all 5 defendants guilty in murder of Suni Bell
Zvante Sampson, Quandarious Hammond, Jaylin Bedward, James Denson, and Andrew Thompson all face a mandatory life sentence attached to the first degree murder charge.
Although investigators never figured out who actually shot Bell, the state said all five were hit with first degree charges because all five played a role in the drive-by shooting.
"You're going to be held accountable if you commit a crime or if you participate in the commission of a crime, which is what these five defendants did. They worked together. They were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, they're going to be held accountable, and that's exactly what happened here today," said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Prosecutors say there were three cars involved in the shooting, although the men convicted today were only in two of the cars. We asked Lopez if there is a possibility for arrests for the people in the third car.
"That's a bridge that we'll cross when we get to it. But right now, we're here with the five defendants who were found guilty as charged," she answered.
During closing arguments Monday, Sampson interrupted the state's closing, expressing regret for not testifying.
“Somebody shot me and I shot back,” Sampson stated. “I feel sorry for the little girl, but somebody shot me and I shot back.”
"I just felt like he just, he should have just got on the stand and just said what he had to say, because, like, I don't know, they were just all lies like it was a mess," Harrison said of his outburst.
Tampa Bay 28's recent coverage of the trial:
- Day 6: Jury deliberating in trial of the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell
- Day 5: closing arguments in the trial of the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell
- On August 22, 2021, four-year-old Suni Bell was riding in the back seat of a vehicle with two adults—her mom and uncle—when a second car drove up and someone began shooting.
- On Sept. 30, 2021, officials indicted and arrested Zvante Sampson, Quandarious Hammond, Jaylin Bedward, James Denson, and Andrew Thompson.
- Day 4: State prosecutors rest in the trial of the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell
- On Friday, the prosecution concluded its presentation of the case against the five suspects.
- Day 3: Lead detective testified at trial in the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell
- On Thursday, they focused heavily on testimony from the lead detective in the investigation.
- Day 2: Trial in the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell continues
- On Wednesday, the trial focused heavily on the initial response from law enforcement after the shooting.
- Day 1: Trial starts in the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell
- Suni's mother, Mary Harrison, gave an emotional testimony in court on Tuesday.
- MORE: Family holds vigil for 4-year-old shot, killed in Tampa while riding in a car
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