Ronnie Walker convicted of teen girl's murder, faces possible death sentence

FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Jurors have convicted Ronnie Walker of first-degree murder for the shooting death of a 14-year-old girl in Tampa more than three years ago.

"I could see her smiling down, saying ‘you did it mom, you did it, you did not give up,’" Ashley Alexander, the teen's mother, said minutes after the verdict was read.

Walker showed no emotion, with this capping an effort to get away with it.

Case against Ronnie Walker

The backstory:

In May 2022, Nilexia Alexander was found shot to death off Floribraska Ave. Investigators said she was seen on video getting into Ronnie Walker's car in the early morning hours of May 6, 2022.

The teen was considered a runaway from Temple Terrace, police said.

Pictured: Nilexia Alexander.

In July 2022, investigators arrested Walker and charged him with first-degree murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Trial testimony

Dig deeper:

Video shows Nilexia Alexander getting into Walker's car just before 3 a.m., just 15 minutes before witnesses said they heard gunshots near Floribraska and Highland.

Prosecutors say he sought her out that night, and argued with her about her sexual history before shooting her once in the car, then three more times at close range in an empty field.

Pictured: Ronnie Walker in court.

Prosecutors told the jury he threw the gun in the Hillsborough River and tried to clean his car of DNA.

"Nilexia Alexander was a runaway. She ran away from home. She made some bad decisions," said prosecutor Chinwe Fossett. "Ronnie Walker drives away with his lights off. Ronnie Walker drives around a bit and then goes to the Thornton, Ronnie Walker cleans out his car."

The state attorney said the key piece of evidence is that Nilexia's phone was tracked with Walker's car until he discovered it and likely ditched it somewhere.

"The prosecution had to put a puzzle together," said state attorney Suzy Lopez. "And we're very grateful that Nilexia was able to communicate with us, even after she was gone."

The prosecution relied on two witnesses: Robert Creed, the third person in the car that night, and a bail bondsman named Stanley Wilson.

Both cited Walker's fury related to sex with Nilexia when he shot her. Creed testified that Walker threatened to kill him if he told anyone.

PREVIOUS: Ronnie Walker murder trial underway, possible motive revealed during opening statements

The other side:

Both witnesses have extensive criminal histories, however, and Creed is hoping for favorable treatment in his own sentencing for initially lying to detectives.

"Their case boils down to Robert Creed, who doesn't want to be charged with first-degree murder, and a con man who concocted a plan to keep himself out of trouble," said defense attorney Maria Dunker.

The defense also says the angle of the first shot into Nilexia doesn't make sense, given she was hit on the back of the left shoulder.

Creed testified Walker turned with his left hand and shot her in the back seat, then followed her out of the car to keep shooting.

The defense says it shows Creed shot her from the front passenger seat.

"Does it make sense that if somebody was pointing a gun at her, in the front seat of the car, that instead of turning to her left to get out, and instead turn towards the gun?" said Dunker.

The defense did not call any witnesses, with Walker declining to testify.

Pictured: Ronnie Walker in court moments before the verdict in his murder case was read.

What they're saying:

Now, Nilexia's story has a clear ending.

"Lexi was so sweet," said Ashley Alexander. "She was an outgoing kid. Loved hairstyles, music, reading. She was very special. She's a typical teenager."

The former foster child who became a teen runaway will forever be known as a beloved daughter with a family who didn't give up.

"Prayers, strength, support, love, I had it all around me," said Ashley Alexander.

What's next:

Walker faces the death penalty in the case. Under Florida law, at least eight of the 12 jurors must vote to recommend the death penalty before the judge can impose it.

The penalty phase is set for Thursday at 10 a.m.

Defense attorneys plan to call eight to ten witnesses during the sentencing phase.

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The Source: This story was written with information from testimony in Ronnie Walker's murder trial and previous FOX 13 News reports.

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