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Date: 04-11-2019
Case Style:
State of Florida v. Michael Shane Bargo, Jr.
Case Number:
Judge: Anthony Tatti
Court: Circuit Court, Marion County, Florida
Plaintiff's Attorney: Amy Berndt and Robin Arnold
Defendant's Attorney: Candance Hawthorne and Brenda Smith
Description:
Ocala, FL - The State of Florida charged Michael Shane Bargo, Jr. with first-degree capital murder for killing Seath Jackson, age 15.
The State claimed that Bargo, along with co-defendants Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper, Charlie Ely and Justin Soto — lured Jackson to a Summerfield home where they beat, shot and tortured him, then burned his body. His remains were placed into paint buckets and dropped into a water-filled quarry.
"The evidence presented at trial established that on the night of April 17,
2011, Bargo and codefendants Amber Wright, Kyle Hooper, Charlie Ely, and
Justin Soto murdered the victim.1 Bargo planned the murder and directed his
codefendants throughout the commission of the murder. At the time of the crime,
Bargo was eighteen years old and the victim was fifteen years old.
Wright and the victim began dating in December 2010, but broke up bitterly
in March 2011. Wright became romantically involved with Bargo around the time
of her breakup with the victim. According to William Samalot, the victim’s friend,
Bargo wrongly believed that the victim had abused Wright. Nevertheless, Wright
and the victim continued to send text messages to one another after their breakup.
Two or three weeks before the murder, Bargo and the victim threatened one
another at Wright’s home. Only one week before the murder, Bargo went to the
victim’s home and argued with him. During that argument, the victim’s mother
heard Bargo tell her son, “I have a bullet with your name on it.”"
Outcome: Defendant was found guilty with a recommendation that he be sentenced to death.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: