A man who barged into another man’s hotel room as part of a dispute, firing several shots at the victim, was found guilty Thursday of Attempted Manslaughter and several other charges, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
The jury’s special findings included that Christopher Lorenzo Hatcher possessed, fired, and injured the victim with a firearm. Hatcher also was found guilty of Shooting in an Occupied Building and Trespassing in an Occupied Structure. Further, jurors were then told the defendant was also charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm – something they could not know while hearing the case – and they found him guilty on that charge.
Hatcher faces up to 46 years in prison at a sentencing to be set at a later date by Circuit Court Judge William Henry.
“Panama City police did a good job investigating this case so we could prosecute this defendant and get him off the streets,” Dearing said. “Panama City is a safer place today with this verdict.”
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Prosecutor Brea Dearing called 8 witnesses, including the victim who was shot twice in the leg and once in the hand, along with evidence like video surveillance gathered by Panama City police to prove her case.
The testimony showed the victim had spoken to Hatcher earlier, then returned to his room at the Relax Inn on Harrison Avenue. Hatcher then went to the victim’s room, barged inside and fired several shots before fleeing. The video appeared to show blood on his shirt as he ran. Panama City police captured him about 5 blocks away shirtless, but still wearing the same pants as in the surveillance video.
Basford thanked the Panama City Police Department for its work on the case and the quick identification and capture of the suspect.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.