Bloody shoes and confession spur jury to convict man of security guard murder
Miami FL June 13 2017 A jury has convicted a man who took part in the ambush robbery and murder of a South Miami security guard.
Quintin Vicks, 21, was convicted late Friday of first-degree murder and conspiracy. He faces a mandatory life sentence under Florida law.
Vicks was one of four men police say ambushed 50 State Security guard Robert Nelson in August 2013.
Nelson, a former flight attendant, was patrolling the Hidden Grove apartment complex in his company car. The gunmen opened fire, causing him to crash into a nearby daycare — then, the attackers pulled him out of the car and stole his belongings and gun.
At trial, prosecutors Christine Hernandez and Elena Doyle detailed a case that included a confession and Vicks being caught moments after the shooting — with the slain guard’s ID and credit card in his pocket.
His shoes, found hidden under a seat of a Miami-Dade police patrol car weeks after he was held there the night of the killing, also had the victim’s blood on them.
His defense: The DNA was planted and the confession was forced. A co-defendant, however, also testified against him.
The conviction came five months after another jury acquitted Vick’s co-defendant, Nathaniel Payne-Collins, but convicted him of stealing the guard’s pistol. Payne-Collins is now serving a five-year prison sentence.
Defendant Gregory Lewis has already pleaded guilty, and is serving a 10-year sentence. A fourth man is awaiting trial.
Miami Herald
