Teen Found Guilty Of Murdering Neighbor, An Aspiring Chef
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- Nicole Franco's family left court in tears Friday, relieved and emotionally spent after a jury convicted 18-year-old D'Marcus Tucker of first degree murder, burglary and theft.
After deliberating for 12 hours, the jury found Tucker guilty of killing 19-year-old Nikki Franco, the youngest of five children who moved from New Jersey to South Florida to attend culinary school at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale.
In the summer of 2014, Tucker broke into her apartment to steal her wallet and stabbed her to death when she unexpectedly woke up during the burglary.
"The family is now vindicated," said prosecutor Maria Schneider. "Their lovely daughter, of course, can't be brought back to them. But they, at least, have that sense of closure of justice being done."
The trial hinged on DNA evidence as Tucker's skin cells were found on Franco's bed comforter, prosecutors argued. They also presented a videotape of his confession.
Tucker's family, who sat feet away from him during the trial, looked on in stunned silence as he was led away in shackles.
"A mother is going to feel sorry for her son," said Tucker's grandmother. "She's gonna be hurting. But all we can do is pray about it."