Jury finds Bessman Okafor guilty of 1st-degree murder Okafor accused of killing would-be witness in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – The jury has found on Wednesday the man accused of killing a would-be witness guilty of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
The jury read the verdict Wednesday afternoon, finding Bessman Okafor guilty of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
The prosecution in the Okafor murder trial wrapped up its case Monday after calling a series of expert witnesses, and the defense rested its case Tuesday.
Okafor is accused of shooting three people in 2012, killing 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar. Prosecutors say Okafor did it to keep them from testifying against him in a home invasion trial.
Okafor faces the death penalty. Testimony will continue on Thursday for the penalty phase to determine Okafor's sentence.
Copyright 2015 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
About the Author Cathleigh is a newscast producer and has been with News 6 since 2014. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in communications, with a focus in broadcast journalism. Cathleigh produces the 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. newscasts.
Melbourne police capture escaped prisoner after manhunt ▶ 0:53
Melbourne police capture escaped prisoner after manhunt
News 6 obtains Hitler video shown during Osceola High School announcements ▶ 0:32
News 6 obtains Hitler video shown during Osceola High School announcements
News 6 handyman investigation leads to refunds for victims ▶ 0:39
News 6 handyman investigation leads to refunds for victims
Anglers celebrate potential longer Florida Atlantic red snapper season after years of restrictions ▶ 0:48
Anglers celebrate potential longer Florida Atlantic red snapper season after years of restrictions
Bodycam shows police questioning teen accused of killing mother, mother’s boyfriend ▶ 1:01
Bodycam shows police questioning teen accused of killing mother, mother’s boyfriend
Woman, 4-year-old daughter killed in Ocala by estranged husband who shot himself in Georgia, ▶ 2:05
Woman, 4-year-old daughter killed in Ocala by estranged husband who shot himself in Georgia,
Dry weather fuels fire danger across Central Florida ▶ 0:46
Dry weather fuels fire danger across Central Florida
$400 Million Camping World Stadium Improvement Project ▶ 1:08
$400 Million Camping World Stadium Improvement Project
‘Doesn’t happen again’: Melbourne Beach could install grates after manatee gets stuck in storm drain ▶ 0:58
‘Doesn’t happen again’: Melbourne Beach could install grates after manatee gets stuck in storm drain
Jamie Seh & Nathaniel Rivas took a once-in-a-lifetime ride in the Goodyear Blimp ▶ 1:44
Jamie Seh & Nathaniel Rivas took a once-in-a-lifetime ride in the Goodyear Blimp
Politically Motivated: Bad Bunny's Controversial Half Time Performance ▶ 1:06
Politically Motivated: Bad Bunny's Controversial Half Time Performance
Musk-owned ‘Boring Company’ tapped to tunnel from Universal Studios to Epic Universe ▶ 0:54
Musk-owned ‘Boring Company’ tapped to tunnel from Universal Studios to Epic Universe
Where are license plate readers? Online maps reveal hundreds deployed in Central Florida ▶ 1:22
Where are license plate readers? Online maps reveal hundreds deployed in Central Florida
Orange County, Visit Orlando reach guidelines agreement after audit found spending issues ▶ 1:19
Orange County, Visit Orlando reach guidelines agreement after audit found spending issues
Pieces of Orlando astronaut John Young’s legacy up for auction ▶ 1:19
Pieces of Orlando astronaut John Young’s legacy up for auction
Parades, concerts, global flavors highlight Universal Orlando Mardi Gras ▶ 0:53
Parades, concerts, global flavors highlight Universal Orlando Mardi Gras
Politically Motivated: How Florida’s recreational marijuana amendment failed to make the 2026 ballot ▶ 0:56
Politically Motivated: How Florida’s recreational marijuana amendment failed to make the 2026 ballot
💝Kaia & Kara’s ULTIMATE GALentine’s Day Guide ▶ 0:39
💝Kaia & Kara’s ULTIMATE GALentine’s Day Guide
The Picklr in Apopka goes high-tech to take pickleball to another level ▶ 0:39
The Picklr in Apopka goes high-tech to take pickleball to another level
‘Torturing the children:’ Report details abuse alleged inside Rockledge daycare ▶ 1:19
‘Torturing the children:’ Report details abuse alleged inside Rockledge daycare
Politically Motivated: How Florida’s recreational marijuana amendment failed to make the 2026 ballot ▶ 0:56
Politically Motivated: How Florida’s recreational marijuana amendment failed to make the 2026 ballot
Don Lemon Arrest: Laws, Liberty and the Slippery Slope ▶ 0:49
Don Lemon Arrest: Laws, Liberty and the Slippery Slope
New video shows arrest of man accused in sex attack on Seminole Wekiva Trail ▶ 0:41
New video shows arrest of man accused in sex attack on Seminole Wekiva Trail
Federal judge declines to release immigrant detainee held at Orange Co. Jail for nearly 30 days ▶ 2:07
Federal judge declines to release immigrant detainee held at Orange Co. Jail for nearly 30 days
Preserving the legacy of Winter Park’s historic Black neighborhood in Hannibal Square ▶ 1:12
Preserving the legacy of Winter Park’s historic Black neighborhood in Hannibal Square
Previous photo Next photo 