Sunday, December 2, 2007

Orlando man sentenced to death for killing teen in robbery


Sarah Lundy

Sentinel Staff Writer

December 1, 2007

An Orlando man was sentenced Friday to death by lethal injection for fatally shooting a 16-year-old in 2004.

Derrick McLean, 30, showed little emotion when Orange Circuit Court Judge Julie O'Kane issued the death penalty.

In September, a jury convicted McLean of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping with a firearm, home invasion with a firearm, and attempted robbery with a firearm. Jurors recommended the death penalty on a 9-3 vote.

Investigators said McLean shot Jahvon Thompson during a home invasion on North Lane on Nov. 24, 2004. Jahvon, who did not live at the apartment, was visiting his father from Connecticut.

McLean and James Jaggon Jr., who was 16 at the time, went there to find drugs and cash. The teen knew that Jahvon's father, Andrew Thompson, sold drugs, O'Kane said.

Jaggon pointed a gun at the teen while McLean ransacked the place, authorities said.

At some point, neighbor Theothlus Lewis Jr. heard noise inside and went to complain. McLean shot Lewis in the back, but the neighbor survived. McLean also fired the gun several times at Jahvon, who was pronounced dead at Florida Hospital Orlando. McLean got away with 5 pounds of marijuana in a pillowcase.

Jaggon was sentenced last year to 23 years in prison. Maurice Lewin, who was 22 at the time and was driving the getaway car, was sentenced to 20 years.

Andrew Thompson was killed Dec. 14, 2006. That case, which is not thought to be connected to his son's killing, remains unsolved.




Sarah Lundy can be reached at slundy@orlandosentinel.com

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