ORANGE COUNTY (May 12, 2023) — The case involving the shooting that claimed three lives in the Pine Hills community is one of too many tragedies in Central Florida. This senseless shooting has elicited significant interest from the community and across the nation regarding how this case will ultimately be resolved. In keeping with my commitment to transparency and because this is a case of great public importance, I will continue to provide updates on the status of this case.

As State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, I am faced with difficult decisions on a daily basis. People’s lives and futures are literally being determined by the decisions made by the prosecutors in my office. We take that responsibility incredibly seriously, and work diligently to make the best decisions both for the safety of the community and the individuals with whom we are charged with prosecuting.

The heinous acts of violence committed on February 22, 2023, shook the very core of this community. We will always remember and honor the three innocent people who were tragically and senselessly killed: Nathacha Augustin, Dylan Lyons, and T’Yonna Major.

T’Yonna’s mother, Brandi Major, and Spectrum News 13 photojournalist Jesse Walden were both critically injured, but thankfully, both survived. Our office has worked tirelessly to provide resources and support to the families of the victims and the survivors.

Unfortunately, amidst this tragedy, a number of politicians including Florida Senator Rick Scott, offered their opinions and made demands for the death penalty in this case, without having any facts beyond what was reported by the media, or consideration for the weight of the evidence that would ultimately be presented.

I want to be incredibly clear: This office will never be manipulated by political pressure or outside influence regarding any case we handle. The rule of law demands that we maintain our focus solely on the evidence and the pursuit of justice when coming to any prosecutorial decision. These decisions are not based on emotions or in revenge.

It is exactly this type of rush to judgment and reckless disregard for due process that has resulted in Florida leading the nation in death row exonerations. While Florida has recently reinstated death by non-unanimous jury verdicts, at least thirty people have been exonerated from death row, meaning they did not commit the crime they were sentenced to death for, and many of them by non-unanimous jury verdicts.

While I am unequivocally opposed to the death penalty personally, I have stated on numerous occasions, in my role as State Attorney, I am obligated to follow the law. When I took office, I established a Capital Case Review Panel (“The Panel”) whose role is to examine the individual facts and circumstances of every capital-eligible case, along with the aggravating and mitigating factors and provide me with a recommendation. The Panel’s role is to ensure that there is no rush to judgment, that there is due process, and above all, that we get it right.

Our Capital Case Review Panel met to review the evidence and make a determination as to how our office should proceed in the case against Keith Melvin Moses. The Panel does not take these decisions lightly. They carefully consider and weigh all of the facts and evidence before bringing a recommendation. Among the facts they considered in this case, was Mr. Moses’ age, the number of victims, and the ages of the victims. The Panel has recommended that this office file a Notice of Intention to Seek Death against Mr.
Moses as a result of his egregious actions, which has been filed today.

We offer our continued prayers and support to the families of those who were killed and the survivors of this horrific tragedy. Our office will continue to do everything in our power to keep the people of Orange and Osceola Counties safe, as we remain steadfast in the tenets of justice that ensures a fair and transparent process for all.