There were tears in the crowd, tears on the witness stand and tears in the jury box as members of Aaron Goodwin and Hawkins’ families testified.

Jurors, deliberating for an hour, sentenced Hawkins to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Late Thursday night, he was convicted of felony first-degree murder in the May 13 death of 24-year-old Goodwin.

The FAMU alumnus was found inside the burnt remains of his South Adams Street sneaker boutique. His car was found on fire outside Wacissa on the same morning. Jurors determined Hawkins, who faced the death penalty, set the fire that killed Goodwin after stealing 40 pairs of the refurbished shoes he sold.

But jurors opted for life in prison. He will serve 55 years in addition to the life sentence after also being convicted of robbery, arson, tampering with evidence and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

At times choking back tears, Goodwin’s family and friends told jurors about his giving, entrepreneurial attitude and impact on nearly every life with which he came in contact.

His cousin, Letitia Tolbert, remembered him as a hard-working “entrepreneur. A mogul and a maverick in the making,” who often spent his time volunteering at elementary schools, studying in the library or helping others in need when he wasn’t working.

“He accomplished so much and touched so many lives and in doing so, he inspires others to get better each day,” Tolbert said. “Although Aaron isn’t with us physically, we know that he is spiritually in our hearts.”

Johnny House III, his business partner and friend, said despite the pain of loss, closure has finally come.

“I know the family has lost a son, nephew and uncle who was rewriting the family story,” he said. “Countless friends have lost the ability to make lasting memories with someone the loved, admired and cherished.”

Goodwin, a Rockledge native, graduated from FAMU in spring 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. He was one class short of getting his master’s degree in facilities management and was set to be enrolled in 2015 summer classes at the time of his death.

Posthumously, Goodwin was awarded his master’s degree.

Two others, Zachary D. Jones, 26, and former Lincoln High School student Marvin Barrington, 23, face charges of accessory after the fact felony murder. Investigators say after the robbery, they gave Hawkins a ride to Jefferson County, where he burned the car and then drove him back to Tallahassee.

Defense attorneys called Hawkins’ family members to the stand during sentencing proceedings. His mother Ginger Hawkins, said she raised her three children nearly alone while her husband struggled with substance abuse.

She said prior to the murder, her son had become homeless and had started hanging out with Jones and Barrington, who were friends of his older brother and were bad influences on her 23-year-old son.

He was a follower easily swayed by peer pressure, not a leader, she said.

His paternal grandmother, Florida “just like the state” Hawkins described her grandson as a “rambunctious, all-American” child. While he was growing up, she tried to impart the values of right and wrong in him. The person she saw in court was not the grandson she knew.

“I could not believe it,” she said of when she heard he was accused of murder. “And I still don’t.”

As she was helped down from the witness stand by bailiffs, Florida Hawkins blew her grandson kisses.

Prosecutors told jurors Hawkins called the store 11 times the day of the murder and committed the crime for financial gain. He started the fire to avoid being caught. He sold the shoes for $300 and two ounces of marijuana.

But he didn’t have to kill Goodwin, who was bound with his own belt, choked and beaten before being burned alive, said Eddie Evans, assistant state attorney for the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

“Did he ever show by his actions that he cared about what Mr. Goodwin was going through when he choked him?” Evans asked jurors during his closing arguments. “Aaron Goodwin was laying in that store, tied up fighting for breath; fighting for his life. (Hawkins) could choose between right and wrong. Had been able to all his life. He chose wrong.”

Hawkins’ attorney Chuck Collins said despite the sentence, he was pleased his client was spared the death penalty.

“Obviously, it was a relief. These aren’t easy cases,” he said. “(Jurors) knew or they believed Mr. Hawkins was involved… I believe they found this wasn’t a premeditated murder and I believe that is why they didn’t find this was cold, calculated and premeditated.”

Dozens of Goodwin’s family and friends attended every day of the week-long trial. After the conviction and sentencing, they expressed relief.

“The last 24 hours for our family has been a blessing. It’s been a miracle,” said Goodwin’s cousin Daniel Davis surrounded by family after the sentencing. “We have been praying and holding tight and asking for justice and it’s been a relief. What was going through our mind is we just want justice. The justice system got it right.”

During closing arguments, prosecutors showed a photo of Goodwin’s body in the charred remains of his once profitable business. Both Hawkins and Goodwin’s families broke down crying. Some left the courtroom. Jurors appeared shocked by the image.

Around 4:30 p.m., as she left the courtroom, her grandson having been taken into custody for the rest of his life, Florida Hawkins blew kisses to Aaron Goodwin’s family.

Original Article:  https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/03/25/hawkins-test-new-sentencing-rules/82247854/

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