An Orange County jury has delivered a guilty verdict against Jackson Charles, 35, for the murder of Randolph Chamberlin, 30, following an altercation that occurred in the lobby of a Days Inn hotel back in 2021. The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida reports that Charles has been convicted of Second Degree Murder (with a Firearm) and Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon.
The incident, which took place on June 2, 2021, involved a heated exchange and physical confrontation captured by the hotel's surveillance camera. The footage showed Charles retrieving a firearm from his bag before arguing and pushing Chamberlin, eventually shooting him four times, including a fatal shot to the chest and three additional wounds to the head and neck area. The defendant was seen fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting occurred.
According to the trial details, a clerk who witnessed the incident and the hotel manager who identified Charles as a frequent guest, provided testimonies that solidified the chain of events. Charles was on the run until June 9, 2024, when the Orange County Sheriff’s Office executed a warrant and took him into custody.
During the trial proceedings, Charles’ defense argued the claim of self-defense, however, evidence presented seemed to assert that Charles was the primary aggressor. Moreover, as a convicted felon, Charles was legally required to retreat from any threats before resorting to physical violence—a point that the prosecution stressed and that likely impacted the jury's decision.
After a five-day trial, the jury's verdict found Charles guilty of all charges, including Second Degree Murder (with a Firearm) with a special finding of discharge causing death. Following the conviction, Charles faces a potential life imprisonment at his sentencing later this year.
