BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — In a grim unfolding of events, a Florida man has been convicted of a murder that was geared to silence a teenage girl from testifying in a sexual assault case against him. His cousin was also found guilty for his role in carrying out the deadly attack, both culminating in potential life sentences.
The Middle District of Florida’s federal jury found 37-year-old Lenard White guilty of premeditated first-degree murder and murder for hire involving the tragic demise of 17-year-old Isabella Scavelli in February 2023. Authorities disclosed that White compensated his cousin, 22-year-old Sheldon Robinson, to commit the murder.
The timeline of the crime traces back to allegations made by Scavelli, who, along with her mother, accused White of sexual assault. Within a day of their official complaint to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Robinson approached the Scavelli residence and fatally shot Isabella as she attempted to flee, striking her in the back. Her mother survived despite being shot multiple times.
Prosecutors argued that the murder was a deliberate attempt to prevent Scavelli’s anticipated testimony regarding the assault. They pointed out that White had hastily traveled to Georgia shortly after the assault claims were made, ostensibly to fabricate an alibi while Robinson executed the plan back in Florida.
Robinson’s involvement deepened as investigation revealed his attempts to recruit others for what he had termed “a clean-up job,” sourcing from text messages unveiled during the trial. He was also seen flaunting cash and drugs in videos believed to be payment from White for the assassination.
As the case progressed, law enforcement executed over 70 search warrants, eventually discovering the weapon used in the murder buried in a wooded area near Robinson’s home. The search took place six months after the crime.
Both White and Robinson were also accused of attempting to disrupt the judicial processes. They reportedly engaged in destroying evidence, witness intimidation, misleading investigations, and there were allegations of plotting another murder to silence a potential witness.
Robinson faces the same fate as White with convictions that include murder for hire, both awaiting sentencing scheduled for January 2026. A third accomplice, Keshawn Woods, had previously pleaded guilty to his involvement in the attack, with his sentencing still pending.
The duration of the trial has offered a magnifying glass into the extensive planning and communications that occurred between the convicts, emphasising their calculated attempts to escape responsibility.
The community continues to reel from the shock of last year’s events, closely watching the developments unfold in a case that has significantly impacted the local societal fabric.
As White and Robinson await their sentencing in federal detention, no additional court dates have been set for Woods, whose role in the conspiracy remains a pivotal point in understanding the full scope of this criminal endeavor.