NEWS RELEASE

Yesterday, a jury handed down a guilty verdict to LeShannon Shelly (29) in the 2011 slaying of Shanice Smith (19) of Gifford. Shelly was found guilty on all charges and faces sentencing at a later date. Shelly is facing life in prison.

The trial began this past Tuesday, when Indian River County Sheriff’s Corporal Scott Sposato, Lieutenant Tony Consalo and Detectives Robert Newman, Jeremy Shepherd, and Michael Snowhill, as well as Crime Scene Technician Nicole Casey testified.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “We are proud of the work that our men and women do every day. It is often difficult being patient as these trials progress through the system. Today, our patience paid off.”