P R E S S R E L E A S E
December 18, 2019
State of Florida v. Christian Emanuel Cruz
DOB: 07/23/1993
Case Number: 2013 102943 CFDL
Cruz sentenced to death for first-degree murder
DAYTONA – This afternoon, Chief Circuit Judge Raul A. Zambrano sentenced Christian Emanuel Cruz to death for first-degree murder. A Volusia County jury unanimously recommended the death penalty in March 2019.
In April 2013, Christian Cruz and a co-defendant, Justin Charles, broke into the victim’s Deltona apartment. After beating him, they tied him up and threw him into the trunk of his car. Charles and Cruz drove to Sanford, Florida where they proceeded to remove him from the trunk and shot him once in the back of the head. He was later pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Assistant State Attorney Tammy Jaques prosecuted the case and Chief Judge Zambrano presided over the case. A Volusia County jury previously found Cruz guilty of first-degree murder, armed burglary, robbery with a firearm, and kidnapping in February 2019.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza had the following to say about the case: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Victim’s family during this difficult time. The death sentence will not undue the harm and suffering of the Victim and his family, but it does hold the defendant accountable for his viscous and tortuous murder.”
###
For more information contact:
John Scott | Public Information Officer | Office of the State Attorney, 7th Circuit | 251 N. Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 | 904-891-7871 (cell) | 386-239-7710 ext. 14922
Previous Article