Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for One Plant City Murder; Still Faces Death Penalty for Another

Francisco Rangel was convicted earlier this month of second-degree murder in the 2008 shooting death of Michael James Longoria and attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of Vidal Quijada in Plant City. Last week, Rangel was sentenced to life in prison on the second-degree murder charge and 30 years for attempted murder. The sentences will run concurrently to one another (in other words, both sentences will be served at the same time and not one after another).

Rangel still faces trial for another murder – one in which he faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.

At this month’s trial, Rangel’s defense attorneys argued that Longoria and Quijada had come to collect money Rangel owed several other people and that he shot them in self-defense after they pulled guns on him. Quijada testified and denied that any threats were made. Longoria died at the scene.

Rangel reportedly wanted to testify in support of his self-defense claim, but doing so would allow prosecutors to ask him about a chase that occurred the next day. Rangel still faces murder charges relating to a car chase that occurred the day after the Longoria/Quijada shooting. So, the defense asked that any cross-examination of Rangel in this case be limited to not include reference to a subsequent shooting. The judge denied that request and Rangel chose to exercise his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He did not testify in his own defense.

The day after those shootings, law enforcement located Rangel and chased his vehicle through back roads east of Plant City. The officers allegedly heard gunshots during the chase. Rangel then stopped his SUV and bailed out. Police claim that he fired an AK-47 as he ran from the car, disabling two police vehicles.

Police returned fire and bystander Candelario Lagunes was killed in the exchange of gunfire. A huge manhunt ensued with over 400 law enforcement officers involved. After a six-hour search, Rangel was ultimately arrested about two blocks away.

Rangel faces 12 charges stemming from the manhunt, including one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.