FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2006

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the indictment, by a Bay County Grand Jury, of Jay Samuel Broxton, 34, Eric Lamar Harden, 29, and Ahmad Jamal Smith, 27, on charges of Felony Murder, Robbery with a Firearm, and Burglary of a Dwelling with a Firearm.

The trio had been previously arrested in connection with the October 3, 2006, robbery and murder of James Edwards, the half-brother of Broxton, in the Shadow Bay area of Bay County.

The arrests were made after an investigation which reached across the state into Duval County.

Each defendant is held without bond. Arraignment will be on November 30 for Broxton and Smith. Harden’s arraignment date is to be set.

The State Attorney’s death penalty qualification committee will meet to consider whether to seek death. The committee’s recommendation is then forwarded to State Attorney Steve Meadows who will make the decision.

The maximum penalty for the robbery and burglary counts is life in prison. Florida’s 10-20-life provisions could require a sentence of 25 years to life for those counts.