FL v. Erin Robinson: Jealous Lover Murder Trial

TAMPA, Fla. (Court TV) — After 5 hours of deliberation, a jury found Erin Robinson guilty on two counts, including first-degree felony murder, for the death of Raul Ortiz in 2014. The defendant was out on bond prior to his trial but shortly after the verdict was read, Robinson was shackled and led out of the courtroom into custody.

After 5 hours of deliberation, a jury found Erin Robinson guilty on two counts, including first-degree felony murder, for the death of Raul Ortiz in 2014. (Court TV)

Erin Robinson was convicted of violently beating Raul Ortiz on Aug. 11, 2014 for making unwanted comments to his girlfriend. The alleged incident happened after Robinson’s girlfriend, Kayla Bryant, encountered Ortiz at a Circle K gas station in Tampa. It was there that she claims Ortiz made inappropriate sexual comments towards her while “looking down her shirt,” according to an affidavit.

Upon leaving the store, Bryant told the defendant about the encounter with Ortiz, who they both knew priorly. Investigators say Robinson then rounded up two others and drove to Ortiz’s house approximately two hours later, where they confronted him outside.

During the altercation, Robinson allegedly struck Ortiz three times in the face, knocking him to the ground. Witnesses say Robinson’s friends pulled him off an unconscious Ortiz and they left the scene.

Ortiz died four days later. Authorities say he never regained consciousness and had no brain activity following the incident.

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES

DAY 3:

Both sides deliver closing arguments
The jury reaches a verdict: guilty of first-degree felony murder, guilty of burglary with committing battery & not guilty of tampering with a witness

DAY 2:

State rests after playing excerpts of Robinson’s testimony from a 2015 stand your ground hearing
Defense rests after calling three witnesses
Defendant declines to testify
Judge Ward sends jury home around 3:35 ET after conveying her deep disappointment in them for discussing media coverage, witnesses and the defendant in violation of her admonitions
Defense moves for a mistrial, which Judge Ward denies

DAY 1:

Both sides deliver opening statements
Raul Ortiz’s neighbor, Kimberly Boyette, breaks down on stand as defense challenges her on prior inconsistent statements, but she remains consistent on one point: Erin Robinson threw the first punch
Medical examiner says cause of death was blunt impact to head with fractures of skull and contusions of cervical spinal cord
Jurors see crime scene photos, video of the victim and Kayla Bryant at Circle K, and video of Erin Robinson, Kayla Bryant and Levinia Danielle Reynolds

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