The five men a Tampa jury found guilty last month of taking part in a 2021 drive-by shooting that killed a 4-year-old were sentenced Wednesday to life without the possibility of parole.
Zvante Sampson, Quandarious Hammond, Jaylin Bedward, Andrew Thompson and James Denson were convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and other charges on Sept. 16.
Prosecutors argued they were all guilty of murder under what’s known as the principal theory, an element of Florida law that allows an accomplice to a crime to be charged as though they committed the illegal act themselves.
After defense attorneys made final attempts at legal motions Wednesday morning, families were granted time to speak directly to the five men before sentencing.
Suni’s grandmother, Drial Harrison, was the first to address the court, decrying “senseless gun violence” in her community.
“This hurts,” Harrison said. “This hurts deep. It’s not something you can put a band-aid on and heal from.”
Harrison said she would pray for the men, despite being bitter and angry.
She mentioned that while the perpetrators would still be able to see their families, she would “have to wait until judgement day to see my grandbaby.”
John Young, Suni’s uncle, gave an impassioned speech to the men about the scourge of gun violence and the decisions they are being held accountable for.
“Put these damn guns down,” Young said. “You’re destroying families, brothers.”
Young encouraged young Black men to pursue education, a trade or join the military.
“I won’t get to see my niece no more,” Young said. “That’s off the board. Once that bullet comes out of that chamber, you cannot bring it back.”
Suni’s mother, Mary Harrison, made a brief speech about the pain she’s suffered.
She also extended empathy to those responsible for the death of her daughter.
“My heart goes out to ya’ll,” Harrison said. “We will be praying for ya’ll.”
Hillsborough Circuit Court Judge Robin Fuson then sentenced the men, who range in age between 26 and 34, individually to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the mandatory sentence required by Florida law.
They also were sentenced on various other charges, including conspiracy to commit murder.
Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez was present in the courtroom Wednesday, interacting with members of Suni Bell’s family.
Suni’s uncle, Willie Brown, had pulled over near Hillsborough Avenue in East Tampa to check directions on his phone on the night of Aug. 22, 2021.
A group of men at a nearby Chevron station followed them along Hillsborough Avenue and emptied multiple rounds into the vehicle, one of which killed Suni Bell.
Only three of the defendants — Hammond, Thompson and Denson — were accused of actually firing weapons. Sampson and Bedward were alleged to have driven two of the cars involved.
Prosecutors said in the trial they believed that the car Suni was riding in was mistaken for another the group thought they were targeting.
The two-week trial was intricate and emotional.
Jurors, upon hearing the emotional testimony of Mary Harrison, had to be reminded by Fuson to decide the case on the facts.
Zvante Sampson, one of the defendants, had an outburst that briefly halted the trial.
“I feel bad for that girl, but someone shot (at us),” Sampson said before deputies led him away.
“There are no winners,” Fuson said Wednesday. “You’ve destroyed two sets of families. You have a long time to think about that.”
Times staff writer Dan Sullivan contributed to this report.