An Orange County jury has found Michael Seawright, 40, guilty on several charges, including Attempted Second Degree Murder, according to a press release by the State Attorney’s Office. The conviction arrives after an incident on June 15, where Seawright, recently released after serving a 20-year sentence for murder, robbed and shot a man at a homeless camp. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen but survived.
Details provided by the State Attorney’s Office report reveal that deputies were directed to the scene of the crime by a female witness, who had been in the tent with Seawright and the victim during the altercation. The incident escalated when the defendant pulled out a gun and demanded the victim empty his pockets, leading to the victim being shot in the struggle and the suspect fleeing shortly after.
Investigators, after interviewing the victim and witnesses, identified Seawright as the perpetrator and arrested him six days later. At the trial, Seawright denied knowing the shooting victim or the witness, claiming innocence. However, the State proved he did know both the victim and the witness and also found the weapon used – which was linked back to Seawright.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts following a three-day trial. Due to the evidence and Seawright's prior conviction, he now faces the possibility of a life sentence as a prison release re-offender.
