Woman convicted of shooting at 3 officers

Julie Lane sentenced to 3 life terms for attempted murder of police officers

Julie Lane

PALATKA, Fla. – A Putnam County jury deliberated for less than an hour Friday before convicting Julie Lane of three counts of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Prosecutors say Lane fired at three deputies serving an search warrant on a mobile home in Interlachen in May 2011, sending one of them to the hospital with critical injuries.

Recommended Videos



Lane and her girlfriend, Melissa McFarland, were the subject of a narcotics investigation after a tip led to some controlled buys.  When a SWAT team received no answer after three knocks on the door and announcing the presence of law enforcement, deputies entered the mobile home.

Prosecutors said the first three deputies inside the mobile home were fired upon by Lane with a 38 revolver. McFarland dropped her gun and did not fire. Officers returned fire on Lane, who was shot.

Deputy Randy Hayes, who was airlifted to a hospital with critical injuries.  Both he and Lane recovered from their injuries.

"We are thankful the officers survived and grateful for the verdict and sentence in this case," said State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. "Accountability and justice prevail in Putnam County."

McFarland is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Circuit Judge Howard Maltz immediately sentenced Lane to three life terms, to be served consecutively.