Two Sarasota men sentenced to 35 years, life in prison in felony murder case

A Sarasota judge sentenced two men to 35 years and life in prison on Friday in connection to the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Christopher Rashad Ramos. 

Co-defendants Davion Lee, 20, and Sean Thomas, 24, were convicted of felony murder in the first degree, armed burglary of a dwelling, and robbery with a firearm during a jury trial in September 2022.

Lee was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the three counts, as well as five years for violation of probation to be served concurrently. Thomas received life in prison on all three counts. Both were credited with time served in the Sarasota County Jail.

Since Lee was 16 years old when the crime was committed, his sentence will be reviewed in 15 years to determine if he will be released or continue serving his sentence, according to what was presented in court.

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Both Thomas and Lee, who initially declined to give a statement, spoke during sentencing. Thomas said that he felt bad, but he would not apologize or show remorse, as his attorney suggested he do, for something he claims he didn't do.

Lee explained that the environment he grew up in wasn't a good influence on him and that he hopes his story will be a cautionary tale to others and influence them not to go down the same path.

"I'm not a bad kid. I just grew up in the hood," Lee said, adding that he wasn't a menace or monster.

Lee and Thomas were arrested in connection to the shooting death of Ramos after Sarasota County deputies accessed health data and GPS coordinates from an iPhone XR seized during an arrest of one of the suspects on an unrelated charge in March 2019, just days after the shooting.

Deputies responded to the shooting in the 2100 block of Banneker Way on March 8, 2019, where they found Ramos dead in a front room with 9mm shell casings lying on the floor near his body, according to previous reporting.

During the trial, Charron Xavier Demarquis Martin, a third suspect arrested in connection to the murder, testified against Lee and Thomas. Martin was adjudicated guilty in November 2022 for armed burglary of an occupied dwelling with a firearm with assault or battery and principal to robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon. Martin's punishment included time served and 15 years of probation.

Assistant State Attorney Art Jackman said there was a goal of punishment and protecting society with the sentences that were given.

"Hopefully the victim's family has some semblance of justice for the loss of their loved one, and there are consequences for people's actions when they go into a residence armed with firearms," Jackman said.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner added that they believed it was entirely appropriate for Judge Thomas Krug to sentence Thomas to life in prison for each count as he was the apparent ringleader.

Loved ones take the stand

Extra tissue boxes were brought into the courtroom before the hearing started as the room filled with family and friends of Ramos and Lee. Thomas's sister came for part of the hearing but did not testify as she was told by Thomas that she could leave to go to work, Thomas's attorney Jonathan Hackworth told the judge.

Greiner called three of Ramos's loved ones to provide statements Friday, including his girlfriend, mother, and sister.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, he said he felt it was important that the family had an opportunity to speak about what the loss of Ramos has meant to them, especially his mother.

When Teirra Washington, Ramos's girlfriend, stepped up onto the witness stand to give her statement, she took several deep breaths to help calm herself, saying to the judge she didn't realize how hard it was going to be to once again be back in the courtroom.

Washington first addressed Thomas before turning to Lee in her brief time sitting in the witness box facing the two men found guilty of killing her partner.

"To wish death on you would make me just like you," Washington said, and instead, wished that Thomas would be imprisoned for life. She added that Lee is no different than Thoms and that she hopes to never see him again.

Previous coverage:Jury finds two Sarasota men guilty in connection to murder of 26-year-old man

When Jacqueline Ramos, Christopher Ramos's mother took the stand, she was one of 12 people in the room wearing a white T-shirt with photographs of her son in a collage and the words "Justice LLR" printed boldly across. She later said the "LLR" means "Long Live Rissy," the nickname she affectionally called Christopher.

"I hope you have no mercy on their lives because they had no mercy on my son," Jacqueline Ramos said, echoing her daughter's sentiment that she hoped neither Thomas nor Lee walking on Sarasota County streets again.

Three of Lee's family members, including his biological father, younger brother, and older sister, each gave a statement Friday. Each offered their condolences to Ramos's family and friends.

Autumn Lee asked the judge for leniency on her brother who she said didn't have a positive male role model growing up and a mother who could only do so much. Both her younger brother and Davion Lee echoed a similar thought.

Autumn Lee also said to her brother during her statement that being in court was the consequence of his own actions.

"I do pray that this is a life-altering experience," she said to her brother, adding that she hopes it sets him on the right path.

A special number: "One 5"

Brief cheers and a few claps erupted following Judge Krug's decision to give Thomas life in prison before they were quieted after the judge reminded everyone to keep their composure in the courtroom.

Once outside, the Ramoses hugged Greiner and thanked him for his work. Jacqueline Ramos also thanked the victim's advocates and said she was pleased with the investigators, officers, prosecutors, and the judge.

"My son was born on the 15th, he grew up on 15th street and we got a murder conviction on the 15th," Jacqueline Ramos added, saying the number is a significant part of their family.

Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.