Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer - Oxycodone as a Motive for Murder?

By Nick Dorsten, Esq.

A jury in Hernando County Florida finds son Guilty of First Degree Murder for killing his father, in cold blood, over the popular (and often deadly) drug Oxycodone.

In a Brooksville courtroom, the Assistant State Attorney gripped the Revelation 12-gauge, sawed-off shotgun and pointed it at the courtroom wall, just feet from the jury.


He pumped the slide on the shotgun, then pulled the trigger. Pump. Click. Pump. Click. Pump. Click.

"(The victim) was shot four (4) times. I don't know how fast or slow the defendant cycled this shotgun when he murdered his father," the State told jurors Thursday, pointing at the 20-year-old man sitting at the defense table. "We're not talking one shot."

After a dramatic closing argument by the Assistant State Attorney, the jury took just one (1) hour to find Stephen Horne guilty of First-Degree Murder in the May 2010 shooting of his father, 47. Authorities say the son was motivated by drugs and money.


Later, just after the Chief Circuit Judge sentenced Horne, of Ridge Manor, to LIFE in prison (without the possibility of parole), the convicted killer turned to sobbing family members sitting two rows behind him, and he smiled.

Some told Horne they loved him. Others couldn't say anything. As deputies escorted him out, he glared at news reporters.

Horne was also convicted of Robbery with a Firearm and Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun.

His accomplice, Angel Gonzalez, 28, of Holiday, was convicted last month of First Degree Murder and was also sentenced to LIFE in prison.

In court Thursday, the State Attorney read portions of a damning confession Horne had given to a Hernando sheriff's Detective.

" 'I killed my father. I shot my father. I planned it all,' " he read. " 'I hated my father. I seen dollar signs. I planned it out. Everything was all my idea. I was going to get away with it.' "

The two (2) men stole his prescribed Oxycodone pills and between $200 and $600, the State said. Then they stripped him of his boots, trousers and cell phone.

"The state has proven that defendant right there," pointing at Horne, "is a cold-blooded killer."

Have you or someone you loved been arrested for a drug or murder charge? Then contact the law offices of Blake & Dorsten, P.A. to speak with an experienced Pinellas criminal defense lawyer now!

Our office is located at 4707 140th ave. N, Suite 107, Clearwater, FL 33762, across from the criminal courthouse and minutes from Tampa and St. Petersburg. You can contact your St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney by phone at 727.286.6141 or online at info@BlakeDorstenLaw.com.