OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors say they are going to search the loss of life penalty in opposition to a Florida man accused of murdering a Lyft driver whose automotive he allegedly stole in an try to flee one other killing.
Okeechobee County prosecutors not too long ago filed a court docket discover saying they are going to search a loss of life sentence in opposition to Mathew Flores, who’s charged with first-degree homicide and armed theft for the Jan. 30 slaying of 74-year-old Gary Levin. They cited a number of aggravating circumstances, together with that the killing occurred whereas the suspect was fleeing one other felony — a theft — and that it was achieved in a “chilly, calculated and premeditated method.”
Flores, 36, was indicted earlier this month for Levin’s taking pictures loss of life. Flores, who’s jailed with out bond, is about to be arraigned subsequent week in Okeechobee County. No legal professional is listed for him within the Levin case in court docket data.
Flores has pleaded not responsible to a first-degree homicide cost for allegedly taking pictures Jose Carlos Martinez, 43, on Jan. 24 in Hardee County in central Florida.
Investigators say that after killing Martinez, Flores stole a number of vehicles to make his strategy to Palm Seashore County, the place he had a good friend order him a experience utilizing the Lyft cellphone app. Officers stated that particular person is just not dealing with prices, as they have been unaware that Flores was wished.
Levin accepted the Lyft request and picked Flores up.
Flores shot Levin inside his 2022 Kia Stinger after which dumped his physique close to Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Division of Legislation Enforcement stated. Three days later, Flores was arrested in North Carolina after police say he led them on a high-speed chase in Levin’s automotive.
Investigators discovered Levin’s physique 5 days after the slaying after they retraced his experience with Flores.
Flores was launched from a Florida jail in 2017 after serving a 12 months for auto theft, grand theft and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Levin’s household didn’t instantly reply to a request looking for remark. His daughter-in-law is an Related Press reporter.