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Press Release

Convict Lashaun Casey Sentenced To Life In Prison

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, PR – Today, Lashaun Casey, 32, faces life in prison following his conviction of murdering undercover Puerto Rico police officer Jesús Lizardi-Espada on August 1, 2005, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. 

On March 19, 2013, Casey was convicted of three counts of carjacking, using a firearm during and in relation of a violent crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  These offenses occurred on August 1, 2005, during an undercover drug transaction.

The counts of conviction on capital murder charges necessitated a separate penalty phase of the trial.  That phase began on Monday, April 8.  Today, the jury announced it was unable to reach a unanimous sentencing verdict. As a result, a sentence of life in prison will be imposed.  There is no parole in the federal system.

“Mr. Casey committed a brutal act of violence against a police officer,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.  “Today, a Puerto Rico jury emphatically rejected his behavior and brought him to justice.  We cannot, and we will not, slowdown in our efforts to hold violent criminals like Casey accountable for their crimes.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and Puerto Rico Police Department, with the collaboration of Instituto de Ciencias Forenses and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, and prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel, Assistant United States Attorney Scott Anderson and Assistant United States Attorney Mariana Bauzà.

Updated April 13, 2015