JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A jury convicted an ex-con of attempted first-degree murder in the 2008 shooting of former Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier.
The six-person jury deliberated for 2 hours and 45 minutes Thursday before returning its verdict against Tyrone Hartsfield, 33, at the end of a nine-day trial.
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After the verdict, Collier said he believed the jury made the right decision.
"Stuff like this has to end," he said. "I can't smile because this is sickening to me."
Collier said he was able to endure because of his faith and his family.
"My life is good," he said.
In closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda reminded the jury of the attack on Collier.
"Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, is a day that Richard Collier will never forget," de la Rionda said. "How could he? He's got a constant reminder every time he tries to move."
Thursday marked Collier's first appearance at the trial since he testified on the opening day. Both he and his former Jaguars teammate, Kenny Pettway, testified that they didn't see anything when a gunman fired six shots into Collier's Escalade.
Ann Finnell, one of Hartsfield's attorneys, said she believes Hartsfield is innocent and she plans to appeal.
"My opinion is they have the wrong man and Mr. Hartsfield didn't do this," she said after the verdict.
In closing arguments, Finnell argued that the entire case against her client was built on circumstantial evidence. But after the verdict, de la Rionda said he believed that was one of the keys to victory.
"When you put all the things together, circumstantial evidence is even better than direct evidence because it gets at the truth," he said.
Hartsfield had the motive and opportunity to shoot Collier, de la Rionda said in closing arguments, explaining that Hartsfield was seeking revenge after he was knocked out in a fight with Collier in April at a nightclub. The prosecutor said Hartsfield followed Collier's car from a club and then sneaked up and shot him.
"He had to take the cowardly way out," de la Rionda said. "He had to get him from behind. He couldn't even look in the face when he shot him. It was payback and revenge."
Finnell pointed out the problems with statements made by Stephfan Wilson, a convicted bank robber, who testified that he rode with Hartsfield to the shooting scene and then heard multiple gunshots.
Hartsfield took the stand in his own defense Wednesday and denied any involvement in the shooting. Hartsfield testified he has six felony convictions and he has served at least two terms in Florida prisons.
Collier grew up in Shreveport, La., and attended Tyler Junior College in Texas, where a counselor steered him toward the football office. Collier transferred to Division II Valdosta State in Georgia and won a national championship. The Jaguars invited Collier to training camp, and he beat out several veterans to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
