State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Otis Tucker pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence during a May 11, 2023, pretrial hearing.

With the plea to the Judge, Tucker faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The State has also filed Habitual Offender and Habitual Violent Felony Offender enhancements on Tucker to be considered by the Honorable Mark Borello during sentencing the week of July 31, 2023.

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In November of 2022, Tucker and the victim were inside the Southside apartment Tucker shared with a roommate. When Tucker’s roommate arrived home, she found the door chained shut and the home completely dark. Tucker eventually let her in.

Once inside, she noticed Tucker and areas of the apartment were covered in blood. She attempted to call 911, but Tucker grabbed her phone, forcefully pushed her out of her apartment, then fled out a back door.

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Members of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrived after receiving several 911 calls. After talking with the roommate and noticing obvious signs of a violent struggle in the home, JSO eventually found the deceased victim who had suffered blunt force trauma and was strangled with an electronic cord.

Tucker was found later that day with the victim’s backpack and a hammer — the weapon he used in the crime — inside. After being detained, Tucker was interviewed. During the interview, detectives told him they were going to collect fingernail samples.

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Upon being told this, he poured soda on his hands. Despite his effort, the victim’s DNA was still found underneath his fingernails.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Lauren Anderson.

Related read: Murder investigation at Baymeadows apartment complex leads to arrest

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