Marion County teen sentenced to 40 years in 2023 Ocklawaha triple murder case

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Marion County judge on Tuesday sentenced 15-year-old Christopher Atkins to 40 years in prison for his role in a 2023 triple homicide that shocked the Ocklawaha community.

What we know:

Atkins, who was just 12 years old at the time of the murders, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea deal that included his cooperation against co-defendants Tahj Brewton and Robert Robinson. The judge credited Atkins with 798 days of time served and set a sentence review in 25 years.

The state acknowledged Atkins as the least culpable of the three defendants but argued for more than the mandatory minimum of 40 years, citing additional charges of armed robbery and tampering with evidence. 

The defense emphasized Atkins’ age, unstable upbringing, and remorse, noting his willingness to testify and early admission of guilt.

The other two defendants, Tahj Brewton and Robert Robinson, who were 16 and 17 at the time of the murders, are expected to be sentenced Wednesday.

Brewton and Robinson both pleaded no contest to 3 counts of murder, 1 count of robbery, and 1 of evidence tampering.

Both face sentences of up to life in prison with a minimum of 40 years behind bars.

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Murders of 3 Florida teens could be result of 'wannabe gang,' sheriff says

A triple murder has shocked a small town in Marion County. The sheriff's office says they are looking at multiple suspects.

The backstory:

Between May 30 and April 1, 2023, the bodies of three teenagers – identified as Layla Silvernail, Michael Hodo Jr., and Camille Quarles – were recovered in different locations in Marion County.

According to officials, Silvernail had been shot in the head and was found near a dumpster. Hodo Jr. was shot in the back of the head and found alongside the road. Quarles had two gunshot wounds and was found dead in a car trunk that was partially submerged in a lake.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods previously told reporters that it appeared that everyone was part of an unofficial neighborhood "wannabe gang" and that at some point, the three boys turned on the three teenagers. A possible motive appeared to be robbery.

3 Florida teens killed were involved in 'illegal activity' with 3 murder suspects

One of the victim's phone had pictures in their phone of weapons and ammunition. They were believed to be smoking weed at a traphouse in Marion County. They planned to rob someone for weed, according to investigators.

According to the arrest affidavit, the suspects and victims were together the night of the murders. Atkins claimed Brewton shot Silvernail and 17-year-old Michael Hodo Jr. Atkins then claimed he was forced to shoot another victim "or his family would be killed", the affidavit states. 

During an interview with Robinson, officials asked why he shot one of the victims to which he replied, "Because she was still alive. She was going to snitch on us all. We was all going to go to jail for life", the affidavit read. 

In May 2023, a grand jury indicted Robinson and Brewton on three counts of first-degree murder, and Atkins was indicted on one count of first-degree murder in the deaths of the three teenagers.

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What's next:

Brewton and Robinson are expected to enter their pleas and be sentenced Wednesday. 

FOX 35 has previously not named Atkins due to his age. However, FOX 35 has decided to name him as he has been charged as an adult.