Family, friends and loved ones of Lezarius Graham entered Circuit Judge Peter Brigham’s courtroom on Aug. 13 hoping to find what they view as justice for the death of the teenager, who had been lured to a predetermined spot and then shot and killed.
They left displeased.
In July, during the trial of her co-defendant, Dexavion J’Neil Brown, Leilani Ashantae Brown testified for the prosecution. She said she was the person who contacted Lezarius, 17, and arranged to meet with him on June 6, 2023. It was at that meeting that the teen was shot and killed, prosecutors say.
Dexavion Brown (no relation to Leilani) was accused of gunning down the teen that day. The body was discovered by a lawn maintenance worker in the 2100 block of Northwest 43rd Street.
The jury found Dexavion Brown not guilty. Among the defense witnesses was a man already serving a lengthy prison sentence for murder in a separate case: Davinci Cheesman Dawson.
Dawson told the court that he shot the teen. Leilani Brown told the court that wasn’t true. She said she didn’t even know Dawson.
Even though Dexavion Brown was acquitted, the charges against Leilani Brown – first-degree murder with a firearm and grand theft auto – remained intact.
Leilani Brown’s lawyer, Jonathan Mills, and Assistant State Attorneys Rich Buxman and Amy Berndt agreed that a 13-year prison term would be appropriate. If convicted at trial, Leilani Brown faced life in prison.
At the Aug. 13 hearing, the judge was told that Leilani Brown’s proposed sentence was a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines. As part of the deal, the murder charge would be downgraded from first-degree murder to second-degree murder. The grand theft auto charge remained.
Before sentencing, the judge told the people inside the courtroom that he’s legally prohibited from getting involved in plea negotiations. He asked prosecutors to explain the reduced charge. He was told it was because of Leilani Brown’s cooperation, which had led to the arrest not just of herself but also her co-defendant.
Without her cooperation, the prosecution told the court, no one would have been taken into custody in this case and there would not have been any trial.
Leilani Brown’s lawyer, Jonathan Mills, told the court his client has shown remorse for what happened.
The judge said he reluctantly accepted the plea bargain agreed upon by the state and defense. Disappointed by the outcome, the victim’s family and friends walked out of the courtroom while the judge was talking.
By the time the judge was finished announcing the sentence, none of Lezarius’ supporters were in the courtroom.
The judge echoed what prosecutors said about Leilani Brown’s cooperation. He accepted Brown’s no contest plea and told her she would serve a 13-year prison term. Brown did not offer a comment during the hearing.
She has 1,107 days of credit for time already served at the jail while this case was pending. In addition to the prison time, she must pay $4,380 in restitution to the victim’s mother.
Family’s response
At the start of the hearing, prosecutors told the court that Lezarius’ family was told about the plea arrangement and they were unhappy. The judge was given emails written by Lezarius’ family members disagreeing with the length of Leilani Brown’s prison time.
The judge read all of them and listened to testimony offered by the victim’s family. Some of the people who spoke included the mother of the teen’s baby, his parents, his stepmother, and his sister and grandmother.
The mother of Lezarius’ 3-year-old daughter said Lezarius was excited to be a father. She said she gave birth 11 days after Lezarius’ death.
The woman said when her daughter was in her womb, Lezarius would talk to her, telling her how much he loved her. She said she plans on telling her daughter about Lezarius.
The boy’s father said they’re heartbroken and came to court seeking justice. He said a 13-year prison term is unacceptable, and asked the judge to give Brown more time.
Lezarius’ sister said her brother loved to make people laugh and remembered making breakfast for him. She said he loved football and his family, and Leilani Brown hasn’t shown any remorse.
Lezarius’ mother said she’s hurt and misses her son. Some days, she said, she doesn’t know whether she’s coming or going.
Lezarius’ grandmother told the judge that Marion County is her home, and he (referring to the judge) could do something for the community by rejecting the deal. The punishment wasn’t enough.
Lezarius’ stepmother said Leilani Brown’s cooperation wasn’t enough. She never called anyone to tell them where they could find the teen’s body.
She said while the family is dealing with pain, Leilani Brown can walk free after serving her prison time.
Showing a picture of Lezarius’ daughter, the woman told the judge he could be a voice for her and show that in Marion County, a human life has value.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala victim’s family says co-defendant got off easy | Exclusive
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner | USA TODAY Network
