MIAMI – Jurors rendered a verdict Thursday afternoon in the penalty phase trial of convicted killer Anthawn Ragan.
It took about two hours for jurors to reach their decision to sentence Ragan to life in prison.
Ragan was convicted of first-degree murder last month for the 2013 shooting of 21-year-old Luis Perez.
Perez was gunned down at a North Miami motel.
The same jury that convicted Ragan is who decided whether he should die for his crime or go to prison for life.
“You need to decide this case without emotion,” Assistant State Attorney Scott Warfman told jurors. “You’ll have some emotions, but put that to the side as you evaluate what the appropriate verdict is.”
The state presented evidence of aggravating factors to prove the death penalty is appropriate, that Perez’s murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated way, and that Ragan was previously convicted of other violent crimes.
“The murder of Luis Perez, shot Kevin Burke on his bike, walked into Royal Castle armed, threatened Numa Alphonse, with no effort to conceal his identity,” said Warfman.
As he did during the guilt phase, Ragan declined to take the stand.
The defense worked to save his life, presenting mitigating factors, including Ragan’s multiple mental health conditions, his childhood run-ins with the law and growing up in poverty, with a mother who birthed him at 18.
They added that a life sentence is punishment enough for this convicted killer.
“He will be punished and we will be safe,” said defense attorney Tony Moss. “A life sentence without parole will be more than adequate.”