It has been nineteen months for the reason that tragic dying of Marcus Atienza on the age of 20, and now the closing member of the gang chargeable for his murder has been convicted and sentenced to existence in jail.
During a two-day trial, state prosecutors offered proof that Ellis Clark, a 24-year-old from Pensacola, and an associate had shot and killed Atienza all over a theft ahead of fleeing with two others.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence in this case establishes a very clear picture of the events that occurred on Nov. 7, 2021,” prosecutor Matt Gordon informed the Jury. “The state has met its burden of proof, and I ask for justice for Marcus Atienza, and that you find Ellis Clark guilty as charged.”
Evidence:Prosecutor says Pensacola man’s handprints have been on Marcus Atienza’s automobile the night time he died
What took place?:Pensacola man on trial for allegedly gunning down and robbing sufferer in Ensley
According to Gordon and regulation enforcement reviews, on Nov. 7, 2021, Clark and associate Nicholas Wells texted Atienza to fulfill them on Rawls Avenue so the 2 may purchase marijuana.
When Atienza arrived, Clark allegedly joined Wells in robbing Atienza of the marijuana and money he had. Gordon stated one shot used to be fired, after which Atienza drove away to an empty lot.
Clark allegedly adopted Wells and stuck up with Atienza, the place he used to be shot a 2nd time. They each then escaped with the money and medication in a automobile occupied by way of two different suspects, Teleah Billingsley and Delareien Gaffney.
What used to be Clark’s protection to the murder allegations?
Clark’s lawyer Greg Wise requested the jury to look the holes in the state’s case, in particular elevating issues concerning the credibility of one of the state’s major witnesses.
“While we’ve seen a lot over the last two days, it’s all been shifted in the state’s favor,” he informed the jury all over his remaining argument Wednesday. “You could just as easily look at what they’re lacking and come to a different conclusion.”
Wise informed the jury his shopper will have to no longer be discovered responsible for the reason that state may no longer turn out Clark had a gun the night time Atienza used to be killed or {that a} theft used to be going down, announcing the state’s key witness used to be Teleah Billingsley, who used to be the getaway motive force that night time.
“(Billingsley) told us she was going to turn herself in after (the incident),” Wise stated. “We later pay attention, smartly, (regulation enforcement) were given to her first.
“She lied to investigators, too,” he added. “Now, we’re supposed to take her testimony as gospel. Someone with an interest in the case who started off lying, who is trying to get preferential treatment.”
Wise famous that Billingsley is going through 30 years in jail for appearing as an adjunct to Atienza’s murder, and her prosecutor in the case may be Gordon.
Despite the arguments, the jury returned a verdict discovering Clark responsible as charged. Since first-degree premeditated murder is a capital criminal, there used to be just one sentence Circuit Judge Coleman Robinson used to be allowed to levy — existence — which he issued in an instant after the trial concluded.
Clark arrested:Final suspect charged in deadly capturing of Marcus Atienza in Ensley
Who have been the others concerned in Marcus Atienza’s dying?
Wells used to be additionally indicted on a first-degree murder.
A jury convicted him as indicted on April 12, 2023, and he used to be in an instant sentenced to existence in state jail.
Billingsley used to be charged with accent after the reality of a capital criminal. On Oct. 13, 2022, she submitted to the courtroom that she intends to plead no contest to her fees.
Records point out she faces as much as 30 years in jail. Billingsley shall be sentenced on July 13.
The fourth suspect, Delareien Gaffney, used to be additionally in the automobile the night time of Atienza’s murder and used to be additionally charged with accent after the reality of a capital criminal.
He pleaded no contest to the fee, in step with courtroom data, and used to be sentenced to ten years in state jail on March 8, 2022.