Man Convicted in Gold Chain Murder Gets 2 Life Sentences

Man gets two life sentences in murder of 15-year-old.

A South Florida man who was convicted in the gold chain robbery murder of 15-year-old Emmanuel Lacayo was given two life sentences Thursday.

Mitchell Simpson, 25, was found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery last week in the 2008 killing in southwest Miami-Dade.

"The nature and the circumstances of this offense alone dictate that you should spend the remainer of your natural life in prison," Judge Monica Gordo said in handing down the sentence Thursday. "Your criminal history dictates that you're a danger to this community and that you're no longer fit to live among a free society."

During trial last week, Simpson's brother, Julius, testified he saw Mitchell Simpson snatch a gold chain from Lacayo's neck before he shot the teen in the head. It's believed the pair fled in Julius Simpson's Buick after the shooting.

"This court has no doubt that you violently and callously murdered this 16-year-old child for no other reason than to do so because you felt like it," Gordo said. "You shot him not once but twice."

The victim's father called him a cold-blooded criminal, while his mother recalled her pain.

"You need to know the horror, the evil and the agony that you did to my minor son Emmanuel," Linda Lacayo said.

Julius Simpson testified against his brother as part of a plea deal to help avoid a life sentence.

"It has been a very long road," mother Linda Lacayo said after the sentencing. "We are grateful that we were able to get justice for Emmanuel."

Prosecuting attorney Paige Saperstein said she hoped the sentence would bring peace and closure to the family.

"He lives on through us and we have memories, memories to hold onto," sister Linda Lacayo said.

More Local Stories:

Contact Us