Punta Gorda Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2018 Murder

Punta Gorda Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2018 Murder

In 2021, a Punta Gorda man was sentenced to life in prison for a 2018 murder case. The defendant, identified as 29-year-old Timothy Michael Carter, was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery. The charges stemmed from a January 2018 incident in which Carter allegedly shot and killed 27-year-old Anthony Lee Duncan in Punta Gorda. According to prosecutors, Carter and an accomplice, 24-year-old Michael Allen Escobar, had planned to rob Duncan of drugs and money. During the trial, witnesses testified that Carter and Escobar approached Duncan’s vehicle that night. After a brief conversation, Carter allegedly shot Duncan multiple times in the head and chest. Escobar, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, testified against Carter. He stated that Carter had fired the fatal shots and that he had been the getaway driver. The jury deliberated for several hours before finding Carter guilty on all charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder and to 15 years in prison for the armed robbery. Assistant State Attorney Gene Cummins, who prosecuted the case, said that the sentence “reflects the severity of the crime and the loss that the victim’s family has suffered.” Carter’s attorney, Tricia Jenkins, said that her client planned to appeal the verdict. She argued that the jury had convicted Carter “based on hearsay and speculation.” The case has drawn attention in the Punta Gorda community, and many residents have expressed relief that the perpetrators have been brought to justice.Juan Salazar-Diaz Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Tyren Kinard

Juan Salazar-Diaz Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Tyren Kinard

A Punta Gorda man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2018 murder of a 21-year-old gay Black man.

Case Summary

* Juan Salazar-Diaz was convicted of manslaughter and car theft in March 2024. * The victim, Tyren Kinard, was found shot and killed in North Port in September 2018. * Salazar-Diaz represented himself at trial after several public defenders withdrew due to conflicts of interest.

Sentencing

* Sarasota Circuit Court Judge Thomas Krug sentenced Salazar-Diaz to life in prison without parole for second-degree murder. * He also received five years in prison for grand theft auto, to run concurrently with the life sentence. * Salazar-Diaz was declared indigent and will receive financial assistance for legal expenses related to an appeal.

Victim’s Family

* Pamela Kinard, Tyren’s mother, addressed the court and condemned Salazar-Diaz for killing her son and leaving him on the street unclothed. * She expressed that she suspects Salazar-Diaz’s motive was fear of being outed as gay. * Pamela also spoke about her son’s loving and caring nature and the pain his loss has caused her family.

Legal Implications

* Due to Salazar-Diaz’s prior criminal history, he was convicted under Florida’s law on the area of release of repeat offenders, which resulted in the maximum sentence. * Despite Judge Krug’s warnings about the difficulty of the appeals process, Salazar-Diaz decided to continue representing himself.

Media Coverage

* Herald-Tribune reporter Gabriela Szymanowska covered the sentencing hearing and provided in-depth context about the case and the victim’s family. * The article highlights the complexities of the crime, the lack of clarity surrounding the motive, and the ongoing impact on Tyren Kinard’s loved ones.A Punta Gorda man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2018 murder case. The 26-year-old man was found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the death of a 72-year-old woman. The woman was found dead in her home in August 2018. She had been stabbed multiple times. The man was arrested a few days later and charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty, but a jury found him guilty after a two-week trial. The man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.