MEMPHIS, TN –Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Friday that a jury convicted a Memphis teen on two counts of first degree murder for the 2005 killing of two innocent bystanders in a Raleigh neighborhood.

 

The jury found Rapheal Love, 18, guilty as indicted for shooting and killing David McVay, Jr., 21, and Jessica Sisson, 17. The two victims were shot to death around midnight on July 13, 2005 while standing with a group of people in front of a house located at 3710 Longmont. 

 

Love, who automatically received life in prison on each count, was transferred from Juvenile Court to Criminal Court to be tried as an adult. On June 28, a criminal court judge will decide whether the life sentences will run consecutively.

 

Last November, a jury found co-defendant Hosie Perry, Jr. guilty on the same charges. Perry, 16, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison. A third co-defendant, Sidarrius Walker, 18, awaits trial.

 

The charge of first degree murder is covered under the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes, which also applies to juveniles who are prosecuted as adults. Exceptions are made to policy for legal or ethical reasons.

 

This case was assigned to the District Attorney’s Gang and Narcotics Prosecution Unit and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ray Lepone and Paul Hagerman.