Brooksville, FL – Lenard White was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder and murder-for-hire on Monday in connection with the death of 17-year-old Isabella Scavelli. His cousin, Sheldon Robinson, received the same verdict for accepting $6,000 from White to facilitate the fatal shooting.
Jurors heard that on February 6, Scavelli and her mother accused White of sexually assaulting the teenager. The next day Robinson allegedly shot Scavelli in front of her mother, who was also injured in the attack.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that Scavelli was killed as she attempted to flee from her front door. Prosecutors stated that White had traveled to Georgia shortly after reporting the assault in an effort to establish an alibi.
Investigators executed over 70 search warrants, which led to a detailed understanding of Robinson’s actions on the day of the murder. Communications from Robinson’s phone revealed requests for assistance with a “clean-up job” linked to the crime.
Months after the incident, authorities recovered the handgun used in the murder from a wooded area behind Robinson’s home. White and Robinson were accused of trying to hinder the investigation by tampering with evidence and making false statements to law enforcement.
Robinson and White also discussed plans to kill another potential witness. A third defendant, Keshawn Woods, has pleaded guilty in connection with the case and is awaiting sentencing.
Sentencing for White and Robinson is scheduled for January 30, 2026. They face mandatory life sentences in federal prison.