Robber gets life sentence for drowning

TAMPA -- James I. Murray, one of four men accused in a robbery that led to a drowning death in the Hillsborough River, will face life in prison for his participation in the May 2001 crime.

A jury Thursday found the 19-year-old Tampa man guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Eddie George Jr., who also was 19. The conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.

George was sitting in Temple Crest Park before dawn with Jennifer Simon, a 22-year-old acquaintance, when robbers forced them into the river at gunpoint. Simon emerged alive, but George drowned.

In September, one of the other accused robbers, Lucious Williams, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 25-year sentence. He agreed to testify against his co-defendants.

Two other men -- Anthony C. Francis, 20, and Tremayne J. Hall, 19 -- await trial on charges of first-degree murder.

Tampa detectives say Murray made incriminating remarks during interrogation that put him at the scene of the crime. At Murray's trial this week, defense attorney Robert Fraser noted that the supposed remarks were never recorded.

Fraser also sought to discredit Williams, the co-defendant who testified against Murray. "The deal was too sweet," the attorney said of the plea that earned Williams a 25-year sentence.

In an interview, Fraser described his client as "intellectually limited, but a nice, sweet-natured kid." He added that "Before the jury came back, he shook my hand and thanked me. I hate to tell you how few do that."

The jury also found Murray guilty of robbery, burglary, and car theft in the Temple Crest Park attack.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Barbara Fleischer asked Murray if he wanted to say anything before she sentenced him.

Murray didn't understand, so his lawyer explained. Murray said he couldn't think of anything to say.

"I don't believe you understand the value of a life," the judge said in imposing the life sentence. Not only had he destroyed part of George's family, the judge said, but he had destroyed his own life, too. "You will never see the light of day, I expect," Fleischer said.

George's father, Eddie George Sr., walked out of the courthouse slowly, using a crutch, stopping as he struggled with his emotions. He said his son had dreamed of being a chef.

"At this point, justice has been served," the father said. "It won't bring my son back. But (Murray) won't be back either."

-- Christopher Goffard can be reached at 226-3337 or goffard@sptimes.com

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