Point out to search for death penalty in opposition to male accused of murdering South Florida Lyft driver

WEST PALM Seaside, Fla (AP) — Prosecutors say they will seek the dying penalty towards a Florida guy accused of murdering a Lyft driver whose automobile he allegedly stole in an endeavor to escape an additional killing.

Okeechobee County prosecutors lately filed a court docket notice declaring they will search for a loss of life sentence towards Mathew Flores, who is charged with first-degree murder and armed theft for the Jan. 30 slaying of 74-year-old Gary Levin. They cited a number of aggravating instances, including that the killing took place when the suspect was fleeing a different felony — a robbery — and that it was done in a “cold, calculated and premeditated method.”

Flores, 36, was indicted earlier this thirty day period for Levin’s shooting dying. Flores, who is jailed with no bond, is established to be arraigned future 7 days in Okeechobee County. No lawyer is mentioned for him in the Levin scenario in court docket records.

Flores has pleaded not guilty to a first-diploma murder demand for allegedly shooting Jose Carlos Martinez, 43, on Jan. 24 in Hardee County in central Florida.

Investigators say that after killing Martinez, Flores stole various cars and trucks to make his way to Palm Beach County, exactly where he had a pal get him a journey making use of the Lyft cell phone app. Officers said that man or woman is not struggling with prices, as they were unaware that Flores was needed.

Levin acknowledged the Lyft ask for and picked Flores up.

Flores shot Levin within his 2022 Kia Stinger and then dumped his entire body around Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Section of Law Enforcement stated. Three times afterwards, Flores was arrested in North Carolina immediately after police say he led them on a high-pace chase in Levin’s car or truck.

Investigators observed Levin’s overall body 5 days following the slaying when they retraced his journey with Flores.

Flores was launched from a Florida jail in 2017 right after serving a year for automobile theft, grand theft and illegal possession of a firearm.

Levin’s loved ones declined to remark on the prosecutor’s final decision. His daughter-in-regulation is an Connected Press reporter.