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Charles Ray Lee, 15 at the time of the drug-related shooting, faces a minimum of 25 years without parole.
By CHASE SQUIRES
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 8, 2001
DADE CITY -- A jury deliberated less than half an hour Wednesday before convicting 17-year-old Charles Ray "Charlie" Lee of attempted first-degree murder, setting him up for a minimum 25-year prison term.
Circuit Judge Maynard Swanson said that because of Lee's age, he would order a presentencing investigation before sending him to prison. State law will require a minimum 25 years without parole because a gun was used, he said. The teen faces up to life in prison.
Lee, of Hampton Avenue, Dade City, was 15 when he shot John A. Schneider, 39, on the night of Nov. 21, 1999.
Schneider admitted he was in the Carver Heights neighborhood trying to buy crack cocaine when he encountered Lee.
Prosecutor Stacey Sumner said Lee thought Schneider was someone else, a man who owed him $40. When Schneider wouldn't give him the money and tried to leave, Lee shot him.
Schneider managed to drive away in his van, but his injuries nearly killed him, she said. Schneider lost his spleen and the use of his right hand.
In closing arguments, appointed defense attorney A.J. Ivie said his client was a victim of mistaken identity by Schneider and a witness, both of whom were using crack and drinking beer.
"We all feel bad when somebody gets injured, when somebody gets shot," he said, "but we can't use that for a conviction."
Lee took the stand Wednesday and denied involvement.
But Sumner said Lee lied to investigators five times during a single interview, changing his story repeatedly under questioning. Pointing directly at Lee, wearing baggy jeans and a leather coat, she told jurors all signs pointed to him.
"Use your common sense," she urged the jury.
Jury foreman Stuart Williams said there was no question in any of the jurors' minds.
"There wasn't that much to debate," he said.