Third teen connected to triple murder in SE Marion has been arrested
A promise made, and a promise kept.
At a Friday news conference, when referencing a 16-year-old accused in the deaths of three teenagers in southeast Marion County, Sheriff Billy Woods said: "I will get him. I will find him, and justice will be completed."
Marion County Sheriff's Office officials said the 16-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday, just south of Groveland, by the U.S. Marshals Service, which had assistance from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. His two co-defendants, ages 12 and 17, had been taken into custody Thursday.
Earlier coverage: Two juveniles, ages 12 and 17, arrested in SE Marion triple murder. Third defendant sought
Earlier coverage: Third teen dies in SE Marion. 15 detectives on the case. Is a 'wannabe gang' responsible?
An LCSO official told the Star-Banner that the 16-year-old defendant was picked up without incident in Minneola. Sheriff's Office officials said the boy was transferred to a juvenile facility in Marion County.
For now, the teen is charged with carjacking with a firearm, aggravated assault, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer and tampering with an electronic monitoring device. Sheriff's Office officials said additional charges are forthcoming.
Prosecutors said they're going to aggressively pursue the prosecution of all three defendants.
Officials at the Public Defender's Office said Sunday that their office may be appointed to represent the three defendants. Officials said once they carefully review the cases, they'll know for certain if their office will continue to represent all three. If there's a conflict of interest, then the Office of the Regional Council will step in to assist.
The background of this case
On Friday, Woods told the news media that detectives had charged two defendants, ages 12 and 17, with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy. Detectives said the defendants also face a separate charge of robbery with a firearm.
The victims were found in separate locations in Ocklawaha. Layla Silvernail, 16, was found on the ground near a dumpster the night of March 30. She had been shot. She died on April 4.
Just before 8 a.m. on March 31, the body of the 17-year-old boy was discovered less than five miles away from where Layla was found.
On April 1, the third victim was found dead in the trunk of Layla's older model Chevrolet Cruze, which was partially submerged in a body of water. Deputies said the car was about nine miles away from where Layla was found.
The names of two of the victims were not released by detectives because the families invoked Marsy's Law, which prohibits official release of a crime victim's information.
The sheriff's office has not yet spelled out a full chronology of what happened and which defendant is accused of doing what. But according to the sheriff's office, the 12- and 17-year-old defendants admitted shooting the girl who was found inside the car.
Detectives said the car was found not far from the home of the 17-year-old victim. They said it appears the car was pushed into the body of water, with the front tires partially submerged.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Manhunt over: Defendant accused in triple murder arrested on Saturday
