17-year-old Lezarius Graham tragically murdered; two suspects indicted on serious charges

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Ocala, FL – In a heart-wrenching turn of events, two individuals are now facing serious charges in connection with the tragic murder of 17-year-old Lezarius Graham. Dexavion J’Neil Brown and Leilani Ashantae Brown have been indicted by the Marion County Grand Jury, sending shockwaves through the local community.

The indictments, announced on November 15, 2023, reveal a grim picture of the events leading to Lezarius’ untimely demise. Dexavion J’Neil Brown is being charged with Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, Attempted First Degree Murder, and Tampering with an Electronic Monitoring Device. Leilani Ashantae Brown, on the other hand, faces charges of Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm and Grand Theft.

The devastating incident unfolded on the evening of June 7, 2023, at approximately 7:15 p.m. Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a citizen’s report of a deceased individual near a woodline in the 2100 block of NW 43rd Street, Ocala. The victim, identified as 17-year-old Lezarius Graham, had tragically been shot and killed.

As Detective Kip Peterson delved into the investigation, a chilling narrative began to emerge. Lezarius had arranged to sell marijuana to Leilani, unaware that Dexavion was hiding in the trunk of the vehicle she was driving. When Lezarius entered the car, Dexavion emerged, unfolded the back seat, and fired two fatal shots. Despite his injuries, Lezarius managed to escape from the vehicle.

In a disturbing twist, during the subsequent interview with Detective Peterson, Leilani claimed that Lezarius’ murder was gang-related. She alleged that Dexavion had informed her that there was “money on his (Lezarius’) name.” Further complicating the case, it was revealed that the vehicle used in the homicide—a burgundy Toyota Corolla with black spray paint markings—had been stolen by Leilani during a party in Ocala on June 5, 2023.

Leilani, who has been in custody since August 3, 2023, at the Marion County Jail on charges of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Battery, and Providing False Identification to a Law Enforcement Officer, now faces additional charges of Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, with no bond set.

Meanwhile, Dexavion has been held at the Lake County Jail since September 11, 2023, on unrelated charges of two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm and two counts of Robbery with a Firearm. He awaits the formal serving of the recent indictment upon his transfer to the Marion County Jail. Presently, he is held without bond in Lake County.

The community is grappling with the shocking details surrounding Lezarius Graham’s senseless death. All eyes are now on the legal proceedings as the quest for justice for this young life tragically cut short continues.

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