Life Sentence in Bradenton Murder Trial of Quadriplegic Teen

Defense attorneys and prosecutors in Bradenton had an interesting job last week as the trial of Ta Heem Blake began. The lawyers were charged with selecting a jury from a 76-member jury pool in the quadriplegic teenager’s first-degree murder trial.

Ta Heem Blake, 19, was accused of shooting 55-year-old Maria Lerma during a botched home invasion last year in Bradenton.

The court first screened prospective jurors, asking if any of them had read or seen any coverage of the case. Lawyers then had to carefully question the jury about whether they might be inclined to be sympathetic to Blake because he is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He can turn his head and move his hands slightly.

One of Lerma’s sons shot Blake during the burglary, severing his spine.

A co-defendant was previously convicted and sentence to life in prison. In addition to first-degree murder charges, Blake also faced charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and armed burglary of a dwelling.

A jury was ultimately seated and, after listening to evidence all week, returned a guilty verdict on Friday. Blake was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty in this case, life without the possibility of parole was the only sentencing option upon conviction of the first-degree murder charge.

Blake’s criminal defense attorney requested that Blake serve his sentence in a prison facility where he can have extensive physical therapy and receive medical care. He is unable to feed himself and must be turned frequently to help his circulation.

The defense indicated that it plans to appeal the conviction and sentence.