Teen is found guilty in shooting of classmate

Jimmie L. Flournoy Jr., 18, is convicted of manslaughter instead second-degree murder.

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 4, 2005

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CLEARWATER - A jury Thursday found an 18-year-old former St. Petersburg High School student guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of a classmate in February 2003.

Jimmie L. Flournoy Jr. could face up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in April, said prosecutor Thane B. Covert.

Flournoy had been charged with the more serious charge of second-degree murder, which carries a minimum of 25 years in prison.

"I'm so happy he's off the street," said Sheiry Hines, whose nephew, Ronald Durham, was shot outside a dance at Campbell Park Recreation Center after what authorities said was a long-running dispute with Flournoy.

Flournoy, who was 16 at the time, acted in self-defense, his attorney argued during the trial in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court.

Witnesses testified that Flournoy and friends left the dance when they learned Durham was there and that Durham and about 10 friends approached Flournoy wanting to fight.

A student at Troy State University in Alabama, Flournoy had been out on bail but was taken into custody Thursday evening.

Defense attorney Frank Louderback said the judge could consider a range of options, including sentencing Flournoy as a youthful offender. That would bring a sentence ranging from probation to six years, prosecutors said.