Floral City youth sentenced to life for 2021 murder of Stanley Haybron
CCSO mugshots: Dortch on left; Murrell on right.
Citrus County, Florida - On October 23, 2023, 20 year-old David Julian Murrell (photo on right) was sentenced to a mandatory life sentence in prison for the 2021 murder of 21 year-old Stanley Haybron, III, in Floral City, Florida.
The trial took place in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Inverness, Florida. On Wednesday, October 18, Murrell was found guilty on charges of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, attempted robbery with a firearm, and shooting at, within, or into an occupied vehicle.
On December 27, 2021, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) communications center received a call reporting that a shooting had just occurred off S. Great Oaks Dr. in Floral City, Florida.
Within minutes, deputies arrived at the scene of the incident and located a 27 year-old white male with multiple gunshot wounds who had managed to report the shooting. He described the vehicle, later determined to be a gray 2018 Dodge Charger, he thought the suspects had driven away in. While rendering aid to the victim, deputies saw a vehicle, roughly 50 yards away, that matched the description of the vehicle given by the victim. Deputies approached the vehicle and found Mr. Haybron, who had also been shot numerous times. Despite lifesaving efforts at the scene of the shooting, Mr. Haybron did not survive his injuries.
The other injured victim, whose identity has not been revealed, was transported to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Florida.
Within 24 hours of the shooting, an arrest warrant was obtained for Murrell, and he was taken into custody by 5:00 p.m. on December 28, 2021.
According to documents, Murrell, and a second suspect, Javaris "JJ" Nathan Dortch (see photo on left), now age 20, along with the two victims, were partying at Haybron's Floral City residence, where Haybron is said to have flashed a large amount of money. The four got into a vehicle, purportedly to go to a bar in Crystal River, a short time before the shooting occurred.
"Today, justice was served, thanks to the outstanding teamwork displayed by CCSO and the State Attorney's Office throughout this case," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "This life sentence reflects our commitment to maintaining the safety and well-being of our residents. We will continue to work tirelessly to hold those - who seek to harm the citizens of our community - accountable for their actions."
The trial for Dortch, the second suspect in this case, is scheduled for Nov. 13. He was charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, attempted robbery with a firearm; shooting at, within, or into an occupied vehicle; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
