A Tampa jury on Thursday convicted 41-year-old Terry Stephens of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his former boss, prosecutors said. Stephens, known to friends as "Peanut," now faces a mandatory life sentence under Florida law.
Prosecutors Say Stephens Set Up The Killing
Prosecutors told jurors that Stephens orchestrated a plan to rob and kill the victim after being fired from his job. They said he arranged for a co-defendant to meet the man under the guise of a drug deal. The pair reportedly asked to buy marijuana so they could learn where the victim was, and prosecutors say the co-defendant then ambushed and shot him while taking the drugs. According to the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, those details were outlined in coverage by Tampa Bay 28.
What The Law Allows
Under Florida law, first-degree murder is a capital felony that can be punished by either death or life in prison without the possibility of routine parole. Those penalties and the process for sentencing in capital felony cases are spelled out in Florida Statutes. A life sentence in this kind of case generally means the person remains in prison unless granted extraordinary relief such as executive clemency.
Co-defendant Already Serving Life
Prosecutors said Eric Wallace, the co-defendant who carried out the ambush, was convicted earlier this year and received a life sentence in January. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office in the 13th Judicial Circuit handled both prosecutions, according to Tampa Bay 28.
Next Steps
Court records and available reporting did not list a sentencing date for Stephens at the time of publication. Formal notices of hearings and filings are typically posted in the newsroom section of the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office website.
