DeLand, Florida – An Orange City man, Markland Roberts, has been acquitted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter charges in the shooting incident that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Xyrus Zelaya and the injury of another teenager, Jacob Hope. The jury deliberated for nearly two hours before delivering the verdict early Saturday morning at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.
During the trial, Roberts testified that he acted in self-defense when he fired into a car containing the two teenagers. The incident took place on October 30, 2021, outside a home in Deltona, where a Halloween party was being held. The defense argued that Roberts believed he was in danger of a drive-by shooting, prompting him to open fire on the vehicle.
Zelaya’s family and friends were present in the courtroom when the verdict was read, reacting with stunned silence. On the other side, Roberts’ supporters held hands, with emotions running high as the outcome was revealed. Both the defendant and the victim’s families chose not to comment after the trial.
The fatal shot struck Zelaya in the chest, causing severe damage to a major artery and resulting in his death. Despite the tragic outcome, the defense maintained that Roberts’ actions were justified under Florida’s stand-your-ground law. However, the motion to dismiss the charges on these grounds was denied by Judge Randell Rowe III.
Roberts took the stand during the trial, recounting the events of that fateful night. He described feeling threatened by one of the youths in the car and believing that his life was in danger. Roberts testified that he fired his gun in self-defense, unaware of the injuries sustained by the teenagers until the following day.
The case highlighted the complexities of self-defense laws and the legal implications of using deadly force in perceived dangerous situations. The jury’s verdict brings a conclusion to a tragic incident that left a community grappling with loss and legal proceedings.