The first phase of the death penalty sentencing hearing for James Desmond Booth began this morning before Circuit Judge Randell H. Rowe, III.
A Volusia County jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting defendant James Desmond Booth, 30, of killing a New Smyrna Beach woman more than three years ago.
The defendant was found guilty of first fegree murder, a capital felony; and tampering with a witness, a first degree felony.
Booth sold drugs to Gibson in December 2010, and was subsequently arrested for the transaction shortly after.
After Booth was arrested for drug trafficking, he suspected Gibson was the confidential informant in the case against him. Booth planned to murder Gibson to prevent her from testifying against him in the drug charge.
He asked Jessica Hickson to set up a drug sale with Gibson while he hid in the bushes. When Gibson left Hickson’s house, he shot her on the sidewalk four times.
Assistant State Attorneys Ryan Will and Ed Davis prosecuted Booth.
Will said Booth gunned down Debra Gibson, a confidential informant, by shooting her in the back and in the face.