JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man accused of killing a 13-year-old in a drive-by shooting walked out of court Thursday a free man.
Emotions flooded a Duval County courtroom as the verdict was read.
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A jury found Kentrevious Garard not guilty on all charges in connection to the murder of Prince Holland.
“I don’t know how to feel,” Garard said. “I’m just happy to be free, that’s all I can say.”
Holland was killed while leaving football tryouts in 2022.
Garard was accused of being the gunman in that shooting.
Earlier this week, he took the stand and testified that he is innocent, something jurors ultimately may have believed after several hours of deliberations.
“My heart goes out to everybody that was involved,” Garard said. “Deceased, the ones that are still here, but I had nothing to do with it.”
The other defendant, Marcel Johnson, is the man investigators said was the driver of that car.
During the trial, an interrogation video of Johnson was shown, where he confesses.
However, after hours and hours of deliberations, his jury was not able to reach a unanimous verdict, so Judge Jeb T. Branham declared a mistrial.
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Action News Jax spoke with Johnson’s legal team, but they said they were unable to comment on this, as the case is still active.
There will be a retrial for Johnson. He is expected to have a hearing on Oct. 21.
The state said it will pursue the same exact charges against him in his second trial.
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The State Attorney’s Office sent Action News Jax a statement on the mistrial for Johnson and the verdict for Garard:
“Prince Holland’s murder was a tragic loss for his family and our community. While we are disappointed in today’s verdict, our office remains committed to pursuing justice for victims and holding violent offenders accountable.
“Thank you to our law enforcement partners, prosecutors, and victim advocates who continue to seek justice for Prince as we prosecute the State of Florida v. Marcel Johnson.”
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