A Seminole County jury delivered a guilty verdict in the case of a man accused of shooting a 10-year-old boy.

Daquan Butts was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder in the shooting of Jeremiah Taylor in September.

The defense wrapped up its case Wednesday morning and the jury left to begin deliberations just before noon, returning with a verdict around 1:20 p.m..

Sanford police said Daquan Butts accidentally shot Taylor in September.

Taylor testifed in the trial Tuesday.

Raw: Neighbor talks about 10-year-old shot

Prosecutors said Butts had been arguing with another man while playing basketball, grabbed a gun from a car and started shooting. Taylor, who was hit in the stomach, said he saw Butts shoot at least twice.

Butts allegedly fled the area after the shooting, and police arrested him about a week later.

"He said he was sorry and then took off," Taylor said.

Taylor's mother took the stand after her son Tuesday. She testified about the injuries that the little boy suffered.

"Several holes inside, 110 stitches in the inside, he had 32 staples outside and he had to wear a colostomy bag for two months, and now his leg still be in pain," Kimberly Taylor said.

Defense attorneys called just one witness, Butts' girlfriend, who said Butts seemed confused about what happened the night of the shooting and that he remained at the scene.

During closing arguments the state told the jury that legally it doesn't matter who Butts was trying to shoot.

"Did the defendant intend to shoot Jeremiah Taylor? No, he didn't intend to shoot Jeremiah Taylor. The object of his anger and rage at that point was Kendall Clark.  The judge will tell you the law states that that doesn't matter," the prosecutor told jurors.

In their closing arguments, defense attorneys reminded the jury that their verdict shouldn't be based on sympathy in any way.

Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Butts as a habitual offender. He will be back in court June 24 to be sentenced.



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