JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 1st District Court of appeals reversed itself Thursday and affirmed a Jacksonville man's murder convictions.
In August 2014, a jury found Theodist Tyrone Richardson, 25, guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, six counts of second-degree attempted murder and shooting deadly missiles. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 190 years.
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Kenneth Curry, 26, Billy Johnson, 31, and Danielle Melton, 19, were shot and killed at an apartment complex on Prince Street in August 2011 during a shootout between drug dealers. Melton and a 13-month-old were caught in the crossfire. According to the State Attorney's Office, Richardson's shots also entered into a nearby apartment where the 13-month-old was hit in the head and critically wounded.
Richardson turned himself in and claimed self-defense. He was then tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
The conviction was later overturned on appeal in December 2015. The 1st District Court of Appeals ruled the trial judge erred in giving the jury a self-defense instruction, which required that Richardson had to have “exhausted every reasonable means to escape the danger," which was in direct conflict with the "stand your ground" law.
Earlier this month, the Florida Supreme Court addressed that jury instruction in a separate ruling. The state’s high court found that jury instruction to be proper.
The appeals court then had to follow the precedent of the Supreme Court, which resulted in Richardson's murder convictions being reinstated.