Former Magic Player Shot and Killed

May 12, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Violent Crimes Social Share

A former NBA player has been shot and killed in Orlando on Monday, May 9^th, 2022. Adreian Payne had been previously been a member of the Orlando Magic basketball team.

On Monday night around 1 am, Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a shooting at a residence on Egret Shores Drive in Orlando. When they arrived at the scene, they found 31-year-old Payne injured from a bullet wound. Payne was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately did not survive. One of the neighbors told WFTV, “I heard one gunshot and crying afterward.”

Officers found Lawrence Dority, 29, on the scene of the crime. He is the alleged shooter in the incident and supposedly stayed on the scene to cooperate with the police. The authorities shut down the block near the crime scene to search for more evidence, which took about eight hours.

Finally, police arrested Dority and took him into custody at the Orange County Jail. He has been charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Payne. Authorities are still unsure of the motive and are trying to investigate what happened between the two men Monday night.

Responses

Before starting in the NBA, Payne played college basketball for Michigan State. The head coach, Tom Izzo, had the following comment regarding Payne’s passing:

“I’m in shock at the tragic news of Adreian Payne’s death. Our prayers are with his family, teammates and loved ones. Adreian was loved by his teammates and coaches, who respected his development as a player and a person. He came to Michigan State with a ton of raw talent and put in the work to reach his goal of becoming an NBA player. Beyond that, he will long be remembered by Spartan fans for his kind heart…today is a difficult and sad day for the Spartan basketball family.”

First-Degree Murder in Florida

First-degree murder is an extremely serious charge in the state of Florida, and one that comes with harsh penalties. If an individual has been accused of murder in the first-degree, it means that the crime was believed to be premeditated or was a felony murder. Premeditated is when the defendant had planned the crime ahead of time. Felony murder is when the defendant allegedly killed another person or persons while committing or attempting to commit a felony. Felony murder can happen during any of the following felonies:

• Robbery or Home Invasion;
• Arson;
• Sexual Battery;
• Burglary;
• Kidnapping;
• Drug Trafficking;
• Aggravated Abuse of a child or disabled person; or;
• Any other charge listed under Florida Statute Section 782.04.

To read about the difference between murder and manslaughter, you can read our blog here. To read more about murder, homicide, and the penalties that come with a murder conviction in the first-degree, you can find our blog here.

Finding a Defense Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida

Getting accused of a crime can be a very stressful situation, and it is difficult to navigate the legal world on your own. Dealing with criminal charges can lead to harsh penalties such as jail time or expensive fines. In the case of a homicide, there are harsh punishments if the accused gets convicted. It is imperative that if you or a loved one have been accused of a crime, reach out to a skilled defense attorney in Florida. Getting quality legal advice can make the difference between landing behind bars and walking away free.

Don Pumphrey and his team at Pumphrey Law Firm have experience representing clients all across the state of Florida for various charges. We understand what it takes to provide excellent legal work, and are willing to stand in your corner and fight for your freedom. For a free consultation call (850) 681-7777 or leave an online message today.

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