MIAMI – Anthawn Ragan is now 30 years old and standing trial for a crime he’s accused of committing nearly 12 years ago.
Jurors heard opening statements Monday morning.
Ragan faces a first degree murder charge, related to the shooting death of 21-year-old Luis Miguel Perez.
It happened in November of 2013 at a Motel Seven in North Miami, with surveillance cameras capturing the killing.
This murder was part of a month-long alleged crime spree committed by Ragan, which included two hold-ups at a Royal Castle and a dry cleaner, and the fatal shooting of Aaron Vu.
The 10-year-old was at his family’s nail salon in North Miami, when Ragan and another man allegedly robbed staff and customers.
Ragan allegedly fired two shots as he left, killing the boy and wounding the boy’s father. He is expected to stand trial for Vu’s murder at a later date.
According to police, Ragan allegedly had an accomplice for Perez’s murder named Terry Nealy.
Nealy pleaded guilty in exchange for 20 years in prison, and was called as a witness to testify against Ragan, but told the judge he would not.
Instead, jurors heard a transcript of Nealy’s prior testimony that was read aloud in court.
Past court records obtained by Local 10 News show that Ragan has been arrested eight times since 2007, with charges including armed robbery, possession of a firearm and theft.
Records indicate that Ragan was first arrested when he was just 13 years old on allegations that he hit a school employee.