Cape man convicted of murder, sentenced to life in prison
A Cape Coral man was found guilty of murder this week in a 2007 death and sentenced to life in prison.
Richard Carl Elkins, 21, of 2007 S.E. Eighth Ave., was convicted of one count of first-degree murder in the death of Obed Flores, 22. On Thursday, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before finding a verdict, according to Samantha Syoen, a spokeswoman for the State Attorney’s Office.
“Elkins was sentenced immediately to mandatory life in prison without parole on the murder conviction,” Syoen said.
The trial began Monday at the Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers.
The jury also found Elkins guilty of one count of simple battery Thursday. Syoen reported that he received 364 days in prison on the battery charge.
According to a report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Elkins, Flores and a third man went behind a bar in the 3300 block of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs to smoke marijuana on Feb. 28, 2007. Flores then grabbed Elkins by the genitals, the third man later told police as a witness.
Elkins responded by beating and punching Flores until he was unconscious. He then reportedly removed Flores pants and sexually battered him. The witness and Elkins returned to the bar and stayed for a while before paying their tab.
As they left, Elkins stated that he intended to kill Flores, according to the report. The witness asked Elkins to think about what he was doing as they went behind the bar to where Flores still lay motionless on the ground. The witness walked away as Elkins used a shovel to repeatedly strike Flores.
Autopsy results indicate that Flores was alive when Elkins beat him with it.
David M. Peckins represented Elkins. Assistant State Attorney Bob Lee, with Homicide Unit of the State Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case.