Jose Mike Espichan was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being convicted of Second Degree Murder, Thursday evening, following a three-day trial in Lee County.
Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner, of the Homicide Unit, Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Justham, and Assistant State Attorney Martin Stark of the Traffic Homicide Unit, prosecuted the case.
The crime happened in September 2021. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a shooting near the intersection of Palm Lane and Orange River Road. A man was found on the ground, shot multiple times, and died at the scene.
Fort Myers Police Officers located a white Cadillac SUV involved in the incident, and conducted a traffic stop on I-75. The defendant was in the SUV, along with his girlfriend who was driving, and two children.
The investigation determined the defendant’s girlfriend had an earlier disagreement with the victim which led to the shooting.
The defendant was found guilty at trial and sentenced to 50 years in 2022. The case came back on appeal which led to this new trial, new conviction, and sentencing.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director