TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Two men accused in a deadly shootout outside Halftime Liquors were acquitted of murder charges Thursday, but found guilty on other counts and could face decades in prison.
Joseph Walker and Tamylon Williams were tried together this week in a trial that spanned three days. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours Thursday afternoon before announcing its verdict just after 4:30 p.m.
Innocent bystander Demario Murray was shot and killed when gunfire rang out in a crowded parking lot outside Halftime Liquors October 29, 2022. Eight other people were shot, but survived.
Court records show Williams and Walker were both found not guilty of the most serious charge of second-degree murder.
Court records show the jury found Williams guilty as charged of attempted second-degree murder, Walker guilty of a lesser charge of attempted manslaughter, and both men guilty of improper exhibition of a firearm.
“We appreciate the hard work by the jury and certainly understand and respect their verdict,” State Attorney Jack Campbell said when reached by phone Thursday evening. “Neither of these men shot the bullet that killed Demario Murray, however the jury found that both were responsible for being part of the overall gunfight. Our office will not tolerate such gun violence in our community.”
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The jury also found both men guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
It’s not clear yet when Williams and Walker will be sentenced.
Williams faces up to life in prison and Walker faces up to 30 years, the State Attorney said.
Williams and Walker are the latest of four defendants to be convicted in the deadly shootout.
Court records show William Thomas was sentenced just last week to 4 years in prison for possession of a machine gun and De’Arius Cannon is serving a 13 year prison sentence for attempted manslaughter and improper exhibition of a firearm.
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