Guilty Verdict in Tampa Domestic Homicide

A Hillsborough County jury deliberated for 13 hours over two days before finding Cedrick Salter guilty of first-degree murder of his girlfriend in her Tampa home. Prosecutors argued that Salter went to see his girlfriend Saquanda Simon in September 2009 with the intention to fulfill death threats he had sent her by text message.

At trial, the state alleged that Salter chased Simon from room to room as she held of their 18-month-old twins. He ultimately shot her above the right eye with a 9mm.

They argued that the murder was premeditated, pointing to text messages Salter sent while on his way to the home, including “I’m gonna kill you no matter what. … We’re both dead. It don’t matter.”

Simon and Salter had dated for six years. Several months before her death, Simon filed a domestic violence petition, alleging that  Salter had threatened to stab her with a screwdriver. She did not follow up on the petition and it was dismissed.

Salter did not testify at trial, as is his right. He did, however, give a statement to detectives during the investigation. In the videotaped statement, Salter cried and said that the shooting was an accident when two family members grabbed his arm and the gun went off. He also denied that Simon was holding the baby when she was shot.

The prosecution argued that the forensic evidence showed that Simon was shot from no more than 18 inches away, which they said was inconsistent with an accidental shooting as described by Salter.

Salter faces a mandatory life sentence without parole.