Teen Found Guilty Of Murdering Orlando Officer

An Orange County jury convicted a teenager of killing an Orlando police officer late Thursday night. Hugo Terry was found guilty of murdering Officer Al Gordon outside a Pine Hills ATM in 2007, even though he didn’t pull the trigger.

According to investigators, Terry, 19, had tried to withdraw cash with a stolen debit card, but failed. When he turned to leave, he saw Gordon, who was off duty at the time, investigators said.

Minutes later, Gordon was shot and killed by Terry’s accomplice, Devon Smith. Terry himself admitted to being at the scene of the crime. The two were on a robbery spree that fatal night, police said.

“I only heard one bullet go off,” Terry told police in 2007. “I only heard a gun like the one sound, like one ‘pow!’”

Under Florida law, a person can be found guilty of murder if he was an accomplice to the crime.

The jury deliberated until late Thursday evening to reach a verdict before the holiday weekend. They didn’t buy the defense’s argument that Terry was Smith’s hostage.

Instead, the prosecutor said the first-degree murder verdict sends a message about being a participant in violent crimes.

“Although Hugo Terry was not the shooter, he was out committing a course of robberies that night,” Robin Wilkinson, prosecutor, said. “The jury saw that and came back with the appropriate verdict."

The jury also found Terry guilty of attempted robbery and petty theft charges. A judge ordered him to be immediately fingerprinted.

Gordon’s ex-wife wiped away tears during the verdict. She wouldn’t comment on the outcome, but Todd Pursley, fellow officer and friend, said he was relieved by the outcome.

“Al’s life mattered and that showed today,” Pursley said.

Terry threw away a plea deal that would have given him 25 years in prison. Now he could face life behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for July 10.

A judge subpoenaed Terry to testify at Devon Smith’s upcoming murder trial.