By: Shelia Mader
It took the jury less than three hours to return their verdict in the case of the State of Florida versus Laveashia Milton. Milton was charged with the murder of Leilani Valle in August 2018. The jury returned a not guilty verdict and Milton was free to go. Milton had been held in jail since her arrest.
The trial began Monday with the selection of the jury, followed by testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday. The jury convened in Jackson County on Wednesday for day three of Milton’s trial.
25-year-old Laveashia Milton was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. It was alleged she and Valle got into an argument, and she shot her with a handgun, killing her.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a home on Diana Lane in Marianna. When deputies arrived, they found 28-year-old, Leilani Valle, deceased inside a residence. Milton later turned herself in.
According to court documents and testimony given on Wednesday, Milton waived her Miranda rights the night of the incident and admitted to investigators she shot her girlfriend.
“She stated that she and her girlfriend, which would be the victim had been arguing with, she tried to leave, she said the victim pursued her, and she shot her,” said Jeff Snell, who was an investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at the time.
In court, Milton claimed it was out of self-defense and that she feared Valle was going to hurt her. She said her girlfriend had a history of abusing her, but she never reported it for fear of losing her job.
“Did you do it with hatred towards Leilani?” asked the Defendant’s attorney, Waylon Graham in court.
“No,” replied Milton.
“Did you do it with spite toward Leilani or angry intent?” Graham asked.
“No,” said Milton, “I was just trying to stop her from hurting me.”
The state and defense both issued their closing arguments with Judge James L. Goodman instructing the jury on the law.
In closing, Waylon Graham told the jury, “Ms. Milton is a simple lady. You’ve heard her speak and she’s a simple lady.”
Judge James L. Goodman thanked the jury for their time and attention to the case and their service.
It took the jury less than three hours to return their verdict in the case of the State of Florida versus Laveashia Milton. Milton was charged with the murder of Leilani Valle in August 2018. The jury returned a not guilty verdict and Milton was free to go. Milton had been held in jail since her arrest.
The trial began Monday with the selection of the jury, followed by testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday. The jury convened in Jackson County on Wednesday for day three of Milton’s trial.
25-year-old Laveashia Milton was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. It was alleged she and Valle got into an argument, and she shot her with a handgun, killing her.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a home on Diana Lane in Marianna. When deputies arrived, they found 28-year-old, Leilani Valle, deceased inside a residence. Milton later turned herself in.
According to court documents and testimony given on Wednesday, Milton waived her Miranda rights the night of the incident and admitted to investigators she shot her girlfriend.
“She stated that she and her girlfriend, which would be the victim had been arguing with, she tried to leave, she said the victim pursued her, and she shot her,” said Jeff Snell, who was an investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at the time.
In court, Milton claimed it was out of self-defense and that she feared Valle was going to hurt her. She said her girlfriend had a history of abusing her, but she never reported it for fear of losing her job.
“Did you do it with hatred towards Leilani?” asked the Defendant’s attorney, Waylon Graham in court.
“No,” replied Milton.
“Did you do it with spite toward Leilani or angry intent?” Graham asked.
“No,” said Milton, “I was just trying to stop her from hurting me.”
The state and defense both issued their closing arguments with Judge James L. Goodman instructing the jury on the law.
In closing, Waylon Graham told the jury, “Ms. Milton is a simple lady. You’ve heard her speak and she’s a simple lady.”
Judge James L. Goodman thanked the jury for their time and attention to the case and their service.
