Jury Convicts Orlando Man of First-Degree Murder in Deadly 2024 Shooting
ORANGE COUNTY, FL (August 3, 2026) — A jury has found 70-year-old Jesse James Hill guilty of First-Degree Murder with a Firearm for the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Lionel Nelson Jr in March 2024.
Evidence presented during the four-day trial showed that Hill shot and killed Nelson after a physical confrontation. Hill is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8 and faces up to life in prison.
“While nothing can undo the tremendous loss suffered by Mr. Nelson’s loved ones, we hope today’s verdict brings them a measure of peace,” said State Attorney Monique Worrell. “Lionel Nelson Jr was a person with a family who loved him, and his life mattered. Every day, my office is committed to holding accountable those who bring violence into our community and to standing alongside the families left to carry that pain. I thank the jury for their careful and thoughtful deliberation, and I commend our prosecution team and law enforcement partners for their tireless work in pursuit of justice for Mr. Nelson. This verdict reflects what is possible when a community, our investigators, and our prosecutors work together in the pursuit of truth.”
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The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is represented by The Honorable Monique H. Worrell and serves Orange and Osceola counties in Central Florida. A culturally diverse community, the area is home to over 1.9 million residents and is a vacation destination for millions each year. Our office is committed to making Orlando and the surrounding area a vibrant and safe place to live, work and play.
For general media inquiries, please contact: PIO@sao9.org.
For media records request, please contact: mediarecordsrequest@sao9.org.
For specific media inquiries pertaining to State Attorney Monique Worrell, please contact Belal Jaber at BJaber@sao9.org and Samantha Muchard at SMuchard@sao9.org.
