According to Madison County Sheriff's Office Major David Harper, new charges have been filed against 19-year-old Willie Bernard Hamilton, of Greenville, in connection to his arrest on Monday, April 10. Hamilton was arrested for shooting two individuals, and charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery-Great Bodily Harm. Since then, investigators were able to develop probable cause to upgrade the charges to two counts of Attempted Felony Murder and one count of Robbery with a Firearm.
In Florida, Attempted Felony Murder means that the defendant attempted to commit a crime, during the commission of which, a death could have been, but was not, caused. A premeditated intent to kill is not required for conviction of Attempted Felony Murder. Since the attempted murder was a result of a robbery, according to Florida Statute 782.051, if convicted, Hamilton faces a maximum life sentence.
Hamilton remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.