Ruling in place of a deadlocked jury Thursday, a judge sentenced 27-year old Daniel Garcia to life in prison for shooting and killing local convenience store owner Benjamin Mustafa.
Garcia was one of three suspects charged in the April 2015 shooting at Tim's Market. Earlier this week, he was found guilty on one count of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault.
During punishment phase of the trial Thursday morning, jurors became deadlocked on count one of capital murder, unable to decide whether to sentence Garcia to life in prison or death. On count two, aggravated assault, jurors chose to sentence Garcia to 75 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
After recessing at around lunchtime, the judge ruled in place of the deadlocked jurors and sentenced Garcia to life in prison without parole.
