Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announced that on Thursday, May 4, 2017, Judge Michael C. Overstreet conducted a sentencing hearing in the matter of the State of Florida vs. Orlando Thompson, who was convicted in April of this year for Second Degree Murder. Judge Overstreet considered the testimony from the defendant’s family and the defense attorney requesting him to impose a sentence below the guidelines. However, Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy presented testimony from the Halley family about the character of the victim and how this murder has affected their lives forever. Sombathy argued that “the defendant had committed murder and did not deserve leniency” and strongly recommended that the judge impose a sentence that would do justice in this case. Judge Overstreet reminded everyone that the purpose of the criminal justice system in Florida is to punish the offender and thereafter proceeded to impose a sentence of life in prison.
Please contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.