Central Florida defendant convicted of murder, car theft and burglary

A Central Florida defendant was convicted of murder, auto theft and burglary after shooting his victim five times and driving away.

After a five-day trial, a Volusia County jury found defendant Sammy McKnight guilty of charges including first-degree murder, auto theft with a firearm, armed burglary, and possession of a firearm by a federally convicted felon.

Immediately after the verdict was announced, the defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On the evening of June 17, 2022, McKnight spoke with a man in the parking lot of a hotel in DeBary for about an hour. Video surveillance then showed the two men in a physical altercation before the defendant shot the victim five times.

After the victim was shot, McKnight jumped into the victim's car and drove away. The victim ran to a nearby restaurant to get help, but collapsed and succumbed to his injuries.

The defendant was arrested four days later in the Daytona Beach area.

“Your prosecutors continue Justice a reality for the citizens of the 7th District,” said District Attorney RJ Larizza after the jury announced the verdict. “The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison – a fate he more than deserves.”

The case was investigated by the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Assistant District Attorneys Andrew Urbanak and Erica Kane successfully prosecuted the case for the state. The Honorable Leah Case presided over the trial and entered the verdict.