No verdict yet in Bearden murder trial

Good morning, trial watchers. I hope the jury is able to sort out fact from assumption and do the right thing. It was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Bearden knew Skipper, much less that he was there and in the car WHEN the murder happened.

I would acquit on the murder charges but convict on the accessory after the fact charges.

There is no doubt in my mind after watching th e whole trail that he is quilty of everything.He has a look about him as if we are wasting his time.He looks as if he doesn't have a care about what he is accused of. My verdict for him QUILTY AS CHARGED!

I'm hoping and praying that the jury makes the right decision because a mans life depends on it and in my opinion a man who did not commit this murder..he might be guilty of many things, but I do not believe he is guilty of murder. The Skipper family is in my prayers and thoughts and also the Bearden family. God Bless all of you!

I understand why the prosecutors decided not to charge the defendents with a hate crime. The fact remains that anyone wiyh any common sense knows that the murder of Ryan Skipper reeks of a hate crime. Robbery, is the opportunistic result of the killing. They could have robbed him without killing Ryan Skipper.

Let's hope this jury get's it right. They have not heard half of the evidence so I hope they agree to disagree and there is a hung jury.

It is my opinion that there needs to be another trial with a different judge and hopefully a new defence attorney.

Whether Mr. Bearden is guilty or innocent he deserves a fair trial.

I hope they find Reasonable Doubt and acquit him of the murder charge only

Let this guy go he is not guilty ! The judge in this case is rushing this trial along, does he have a vacation planned ? The prosocution is grasping at straws and rushing to judgement , two finger prints on a door after defendant said he rode in the car does not equal quilty ! I beleive Bill BIll Brown and Ray Allen Brown are the real killers ! Ray Allen Brown and John Kirshoff said they rode in the car , But they did not leave finger prints so they are excluded why ? Looks like a brown family cover up to me ! Not one of the browns could get their stories straight . I truly beleive they never needed gas for the generator, and never intended to get gas, and thats when the browns did this horrible crime ! As for joseph bearden this case is a total lack of justice for him! The judge would not allow evidence that is critical to this case, that could free him ! I beleive he is guilty in dealing with stolen property but not murder ! And as for the defense attorney's what a complete joke, I guess that's what you get with a public defender ! Bearden has not had a fair trial he got screwed by Judge, Prosocuter, Defense attorneys and the Browns! I hope the jury can see through all this , and do the right thing ! This thing screams mistrial !!!!!!!!

I am really getting tired of Ashleigh Banfield's holier than thou better than anyone attitude. The comments that she has been making about these people are not fair and I find it very offensive for her to judge people that she knows very little about, she should try walkin a mile in someone else's shoes before she assumes that she knows who they are.

I think it is totally wrong that the judge wouldn't allow the people to hear about the knife (sticker) and wouldn't allow the testimony from a witness come into play. I feel this young man isn't being given a fair trial, don't get me wrong he isn't a saint by any means, but this just isn't fair to this young man.

i believe bearden shouldn't be charged with murder because if he physically wasn't there and no blood was found on him or any evidence of him being at the scene he shouldn't be charged with murder. now for the robbery i think if he personally told the guys to rob him then yes he should get charged with something other than murder.but is that the case did tell them. if u look back to the j.p. orlewizc case alex was with j.p. in the garage and he never said anything until they got caught but he helped out j.p. whether to put him in the vehicle and transport he never should have done it.that made him an accessory.personally i think the other guys should be charged with the murder in this case instead all evidence points to them not bearden.

It is highly disturbing to know that this defendant believes a drug-addicted, thieving, unemployed, vagabond youth is more valued and welcomed in this world than an employed, educated, non-violent youth.

you realize this happened near Winter Haven, Florida – not New York – right?

Goodnite after watching more of Ray Ray's testimony,it is more clearer than ever.He was so high I dont see how he could keep his story straight(oh wait....he didn't keep his story straight)...It's all too fishy that he knows that he went to the store,he knows that he saw Joey and Bill Bill get into car with Ryan,he knows just about everything.But he dont know if he put the gas in the generator or held the flashlight.

I do think since there is a Man Of God as the foreman on the jury who said it has to be pretty clear that a murder was done by the hands of Joey to convict him of first degree murder.So maybe that will help out a little in the case.And another thing.I cant wait till Bill Bill's trial.I think Bill Bill maybe throw folks under the bus to save his own life...EVEN IF IT'S FAMILY.....

If i were on this jury, I would have a very difficult time. The majority of the prosecution witnesses were not believable because of who and what they are. The most compelling witness was the neighbor who states he saw only Maria cleaning out the car. He has no reason to lie, unlike the self-serving testimony of the "den of dopers". At the least, "Smiley" cannot be sentenced to death.

I feel by being a meth addict, he may have owed some people money, and they are making him take the fall for it.

Also, in my opinion, IN FLORIDA, these folks are OLD SCHOOL thinkers, conservative and rightous, they may think it's ok to kill a gay! Shheeesh.....it makes you kind of sick in your stomach realizing how far behind the times FLORIDA really is.

I also feel you can flip that opinion and say that FLORIDA is so conservative that any tatoos on a defendants face that can bring a fear or disgust to a jury member, which makes the juror make a guilty verdict before hearing any other evidence.

I'LL PREDICT NOT-GUILTY

Will the verdict be carried live by CNN?

This whole trial is a mess. I suspect this will successfully be appealed due to the knife and other issues begging further investigation.

It's strange for me to feel this way but I am not sure I even believe what Bearden said to cops. I think he is responsible for having information, but I don't think he did anything heinous.

Did I see him almost come to tears during court? To me he seems terribly frightened, as he should be. He should pay for his wrongs but I see a person that is a tragic example of children that have been thrown away by society or their families.

Of course also tragic is Mr. Skipper, what a waste. We tempt our fate with every step and turn we make. Sometimes the results are overwhelmingly sad.

If the prosecution want to put drug users on the stand to help with the conviction of this case they are taking a big chance. All it takes is one of the jurors to have doubt. Also the tapes statement of the defendant also a meth user is going to be hard to believe that everything that was stated is believable. Just my opion bottom line :It is all on how you tell the story".

I believe there is insufficient evidence linking Joseph Bearden to the murder. I kept waiting for the prosecution to have a smoking gun, and to my surprise there was not one. If I was on this jury, there is no possible way I could convict this defendant of a muder charge.

In my opinion not allowing the testimony of Ms Tyler, and the information in reference to the knife, have quarantined appeal material if a quilty verdict is handed down.

I've been watching all week to see the verdict of this trial I don't think Joseph Beardon is guilty of murder.. It's been making me crazy... My Dept. Lead is one of the Jurors in this case she and I have not talk about this case at all and its making me upset that she does not get to see everthing that has taken place in the court room.

It's obvious what's going on here. This family is framing Bearden to protect Bill Bill. You can see this because stories don't make sense. i.e. "It's so dark that you have to have a flashlight to fill the generator, no lights outside, yet I saw the defendant get into the car, and I could see the defendant standing on the porch." How could you see all this clearly if you can't even see the generator. This defendant is guilty of trying to get rid of Ryan's possessions and maybe even cleaning up some of his blood. But I don't think he actually murdered him because of the 20 stab wounds. Bearden would have slashed his throat and stole his car and laptop if it was a robbery. Bill Bill, however would stab him 20 times because he's picturing his father raping him with a weapon. This is not only a "hate crime" but also a "fantasy crime". Bill Bill killed Ryan in place of (wishing that he could do this to) his own father. Bearden was the one charged with fencing Ryan's belongings and that's all he's guilty of. Accessory – life in prison! Case closed!

Here is why i believe this defendant (Joseph Bearden) is guilty; if a young man like Ryan Skipper, a man full of life, capable of defending himself (should the situation is only one guy attacking him), sitting on the driver's seat, etc, etc... a young man like Ryan would not have had any problem in fighting against one opponent; now let's try to visualize Ryan Skipper having to fight one guy while being stabbed by another; i guess the situation is a lot more harder, you know what i mean...! Guilty is my verdict!

she has been gone from work for 2 weeks plus now and I was told she is on Jury duty I just put the two together hopeful she will be back Monday!

Not guilty, please. Don't let his appearance be a determining factor. He had no choice but to get the tattoos to protect himself while he was in jail. It has even been reported that he was not taken into custody with the tattoos on. It is somewhat of a catch-22, but I hope the jury can see past that... I would.

How arrogant to assume that microforensics would not tell us who handled the knife or who's blood managed to seep into the tiny cracks. I disagree with judge Hunter on this desicion.

Is there an investigation going on Bill-Bill? His hands looks awfully dirty to me. Will the knife be present in the trial of Ray Brown?? I surely hope so because the truth is there. When one person murders another person it can be proven because it happened. Joseph Bearden is innocent.

IS there not a law that says if someone is killed in the course of a robbery that all parties can be held responsiable for the persons murder?

If the jury is focusing more on the theft issue, for a defense attorney is that a good sign the jury has already found Joseph Bearden not guilty of first-degree murder?

Even though I jumped in the middle of the trial, how relevant does robbery or theft become when the main part of the trial is capital murder ? A capital murder conviction, I believe, should exhaunerate (sp) any and all robbery/theft charges.

The most convincing point that the prosecution made is that once they had decided to take his car, they knew he could identify all of them. The fact that they spoke about robbing him beforehand points toward premeditation.

This court case if pathetic..It's more like a Kangaroo Court. The prosecutors can call all the witnesses they want, even though they look like a bunch of addicts. The defense can't get half of their witnesses heard and some of them look like addicts. If I were on this jury, it would definately be a mistrial because they have not proved anything.

Mr. Bearden admits bringing Mr. Skipper to JT Brown's home. He admits telling the Browns to do what they have to do. He admits participating in cleaning the vehicle after it has been taken from Mr. Skipper.

Mr. Bearden is guilty is guilty of murder because he participated in conspiracy to rob Mr. Skipper, which ultimately led to Mr. Skipper's death. I don't believe he should receive the death penalty, but I hope he is found guilty and given a lengthy prison sentence.

This case lacks the fine principle of evidences let alone witness's that has uncredible testimonal statement's, i am refering to korshel and jt brown those two had almost the exact testimonal, yet in my opinion they covered for ray,ray and lyed to get Mr Bearden charge it only seemed suspicious to me for the detectives that charged ray ray and bill bill then to drop charges when smiley was question all seem to be bad detective work, the only thing i think this guy is guilty of is possession of a stolen car, Like Johnny cochran said if it doesn't fit you must acquit, my saying is if it lacks the principle of evidences then you shall acquit|)

From what I have been watching with the case, the prosecution does not have any real evidence linking Mr. Bearden to the crime of murder at all, the real thing that the jurors have to look at is if he is guilty of commiting the robbery in the commision of a felony in this case murder. If they can find him guilty of the robbery then he can be found guilty of the murder as well, even though he may not of been there when the murder happened, he is still guilty by association. I think that the judge should of allowed the knife to be admissible in the court, I think that they could of found some DNA on the knife, if that perhaps was the murder weapon. DNA can remain on objects for an extended period of time, especially if it is covered up, like in this case under the handle. I feel that he is not guilty of the murder himself, but I believe that he had an agenda to rob Mr. Skipper of his car and sell it to procure Meth.

I have been following the trial of Joseph Bearding and i came across a question that i extremely need answered. Are women jurors more willing to find a defendant guilty or innocent? compared to men jurors.

After looking at this case for a while it has become quite clear that there is a lot more than what is coming out of the wittness mouth for the prosecuting side. And there also seems to be a lot of loop holes in this case. For instance throwing out the knife and some of the wittness for the defence. In my eyes it seems that he is the fall guy for what realy happen in this case. I also believe that Bill Bill should be on trial as well.

Look. When a murder is committed in the course of a robbery even if you didn't pul the trigger or stab the victim, you are just as guilty as the one who plunged the knife 19 times into this poor victim. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

I think the only thing that this young man is guilty of is being around the wrong people. Plus doing drugs.

I am shocked to see so many people state that Bill Bill should be on trial. He is going to be on trial for first degree murder, but they are being tried separately. They are trying them separately because that is the best for the DEFENDANT. Bearden is being charged with first degree murder because he conspired to commit robbery and that means he is culpable for the death of the victim under the felony murder rule.

Oops. I meant in my original post that it was not proven that Bearden knew that Skipper was going to be murdered – I do not believe he was there when Skipper was murdered. I believe Ray Allen Brown was with Bill Brown.

I think law enforcement and the DA's office should be investigating Ray Allen Brown right now. Bearden might be guilty of tampering with evidence but that is all I would convict him on.

Arrest Ray Allen Brown and convict Bearden on lesser charges. Bill Brown deserves the death penalty.

Bearden is guilty of accessory after the fact. If they told him they were going to rob him that's one thing. But robbing and killing someone are 2 totally different things. When the Brown's returned Bearden probably freaked out and that's when Bill Bill threated him too.

Stephanie: Why would you convict someone on how they look in the courtroom? That's insane to me that anyone would even say that.

He isn't guilty of murder. All the Brown's are guilty.
The DA and Judge need to hold off on their trips so that when Brown's case is heard it can fly through just like this one did.

This has reasonable doubt all over it. It is a travesty if they convict him of murder.

Bill-Bill needs to fry.. sooner rather than later. But the case against Joseph Bearden was not proven. We were relying on the testimony of drug dealers and meth heads. These witnesses all have lengthy criminal records and criminals like this, especially drug addicts, are notorious liars. I do not believe Maria or her brother.

I believe Angela Tyler's testimony and I think that Ray Allen Brown is on scary individual.

If Bearden gets convicted and he wasn't there with Bill Brown, then another psycho is on the loose.

Does that not scare anyone else?

This is the most ridiculous case that I have ever seen.First of all no weapon was admitted,Defense key witness wasn't admitted.To be honest,it seems like all the other participant's in this case is coming up a lot more than the defendant that is on trail.Mr. Beardon is the fall guy.

Would it be so terrible if Bearden was convicted of murder, even if he didn't actually wield the knife? He was involved. He was a menace and a danger to society prior to the murder. His involvement in this crime and his history of convictions in other crimes indicates to me he will continue to be a cancer in our society. He needs to be locked away forever in the name of societys greater good.

I understand about felony murder but I do not agree with that law. I just don't. I guess I wouldn't be able to be on the jury for this trial.

The felony murder rule is what will get Joseph Bearden because it was not proven that he was there when Ryan Skipper was murdered.

The marking on Joseph Bearden face is to remember himself that he was stub by the ones he called friends. And for the tear that's a sign of death of a love one while in jail.

Not guilty, If he gets charged with this it is complete bulls*** and there is obviosly something wrong with out justic system.

I would have to agree with the comments of Angie about Ashleigh Banfield. Where in the heck did Court TV find this woman? As far as the trial is concerned, I hope Bearden gets the least amount of time allowed by law for his case in point. Also, not to have the 'sticker' even taken to forensics is something I don’t understand the judge not doing.

I think he is not guilty of murder but some what involved with other things. I watched the trail O.J. Simpson he was more nervous than Beardon was sitting with his attorneys. I think they should drop the Felony Murder Charge.

I believe " smiley " is innocent of murder. None of there hillbillies can be trusted. He maybe guilty of helping to clean up the car, but not the murder. I hope the jury sees that.

I do not think that he should be found guilty of murder. Most of the witnesses for the prosecution were very unreliable. Hopefully the jury comes out with a correct and fair verdict. Good luck Joseph "Smiley" Bearden!!!

Oh, by the way, almost forgot. The Judge in this case did not take more control over the D.A. and the defence lawyer. So much time was wasted. He seemed frustrated most of the time. As for the TV coverage, love it.

Hello

I can not understand not allowing the knife and the girls testimony

would it have at the least shown the cover up and lies from this

very disfunctional family??? This nis a very important verdict and the

jury should hear everything.

L. Saunders

The Villages Florida

I followed this trial sporatically and thought I had missed the presentation of the evidence, guess not!! and now i understand the frustrations of the defense attorneys as the judge and prosecutor ran the show. NOT GUILTY

bearden to me on my opinion is not guilty and the girl should be the one sitting where he is as an accomplice she was the one cleaning the car she was seen by an eye witness the neighbor to be exact cleaning the car. shes trying to cover her own tracks so she doesn't become a suspect. how do we know she wasn't covering evidence for the other 2 guys . bearden may have tattoos and a rough past but u don't have to be a murderer to have that. I believe hes innocent.

The prosecution has not proved beyond a reasonable doubt Bearden is guilty in my eyes. Plus the judge should have allowed Tyler's testimony and the knife evidence. Critical to saving Mr. Bearden's life. While I think Bearden is guilty of something, it isn't murder. I think the prosecution needs to take a look at Ray Brown. And I think Bill Bill stabbed the victim the 19 times due to his abuse he suffered when he was a child. That makes more sense. They are charging the wrong man. I also believed the neighbor of the sister (Aguerro). She was cleaning the car. If you think about what Ray Brown said in the hallway about Angela Tyler (the investigator heard), you would see the wording he used is the same as what some of the witnessess used about the victim. I don't think Bearden is guilty of murder period. The Brown family is covering for each other.

i was ryans friend and the things that were said about ryan were not true. he would have never went to someones home he didnit know. this man is as guilty as the other one. eye for a eye and tooth for a tooth. for those that beleive he is innocent you are not very smart. but then again if it was your friend, son, brother, ect thenyou would feel like we do

Ashleigh is so funny!

I think they ALL need to be locked up on murder. They all are obviously bad people with the capacity to commit murder, some have, and some just haven't...yet. Bird of a feather...you are the company that you keep...etc. are all true statements. Bearden should be locked away and a lesson learned from it to other children who are headed down the same path...get it together now, or look where you could end up.

Why would Ryan leave with Bill-Bill and Ray-Ray without taking Bearden when it was stated that he only knew Bearden. I can't imagine him willingly leaving in the car with those 2 out of choice.

As I have seen so many times before, when the after trial interviews are conducted with members of the jury and the evidence that was introduced in live court but not allowed to be presented to the jury is revealed to the members, there is ALWAYS outrage. The jurors are upset that this evidence was withheld and may have, or in most cases most likely would have, persuaded their decision. For instance in this trial... they withheld the knife evidence, the fact that who found it and where it was found, even though it has not been processed yet. Just knowing that they found a knife should have been made known to this jury. Also the testimony of Angela. I believed all along that the two cousins, Ray Ray and Bill Bill were responsible. I knew that there was way more than met the eye with the two of them. And then you throw Maria into the mix and you have a great recipe for murder. The three of them together are shady and ridiculously guilty.

To sum it up... I think that we as the viewers have enough evidence, knowledge and testimony to come to the right verdict and I do not think that this jury was given the entire package. I do not feel that this boy is guilty of Murder... I feel he is guilty of being stupid and bringing himself and Ryan to a lion's den. Then I believe that he knew what happend and feared for himself and his own safety. I think that this is the reason why he even got involved with the "after the fact" stuff.

One of my buddies here in the office has a great question:

Since the jury is taking so long is the DA directing them too? Due to the fact that he ran the courtroom throughtout the entire trial.

I know that wouldn't and can't happen right? But you never know in the state of FL what will happen next!

This is an INJUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so disappointed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? GUILTY OF 2ND DEDREE MURDER! HE GOT RAILROADED BY EVERYONE IN THIS CASE.
The joke judge is now going to sentence him? APPEAL APPEAL APPEAL! IMMEDIATELY!

He is so emotional because he knows he didn't have any part of the murder! God I am sure glad I don't live in FL with the judical system behaving in this manner! Someone needs to step in here and tell all the jury members what they didn't get to hear and know!!!!

SHAME ON THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN....I WILL BE CALLING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THIS MAN!

Thank God for the right verdict.

I can't believe that people can be do blind. Bearden did not murder Skipper. Yes he might have known about what was taking place after the fact,maybe even hearing of the robbery before hand. I believe without a shadow of doubt that maria,bill bill and ray allen comitted this crime. But this is just my opinion, maybe the knife needs to be tested after all. If they can find fingerprints on tape through rain and whatever, we know that they can find so much with the weapon. SPEAKING OF the knife, why isnt the uncle being brought in court for putting the knife in the tree?

I cannot believe this Ray Brown needs to be in that cell and( NOT) J BEARDEN . What is wrong with that police department? The verdict is a true injustice....... I am in TOTAL shock......My heart goes out to you Joey (stay strong!)

I think Alan Ray Brown and that Kershel are involved deeply in this and they have purgered themselves also. They have tried to lay blame to this boy and Bill Bill who looks like a sure fire killer. I think this jury is wrong to have found this boy guilty of second degree murder.

When did Bearden's judge become an expert on KNIVES?????
GREAT reason for appeal and I hope Bearden wins!!!!!!

A total injustice just happened. I wonder what the jury would have thought if they heard Angela Tyler's tesimony.

He got convicted of second degree murder and a bunch of other felonies.. that dude didn't know what was going to happen. Give me a break.

I hope his lawyer appeals and files the appeal TODAY.. Even for second degree murder – he is going away for a very long time, yet others who seem like better suspects aren't even getting charged.

This is a miscarriage of justice!

The jury just put an the wrong guy in jail. I do not believe he was part of the murder! This relly makes me mad

The knife is not relevant to this case. They never claimed that Bearden actually killed Ryan, therefore having the knife introduced into this case would be silly.

I am 28,gay ,@proud. After watching this case on tv. God help us we,& Florida have failed BOTH young men!!!!! I't was not even close to 2nd degree murder. God bless them both>

So many people are making comments about how unfair this trial is and how the evidence of the knife (sticker) should be brought into court as well as the Angela Tyler testimony. Apparently you have not been listening to the legal aspects as to why the evidence and testimony was not allowed to be brought in. The judge is not rushing through the trial and he sees through the smoke screen that the defense has tried to create in order to prolong the trial. The "sticker" found in the tree has no legal bearing on the prosecution's case because they are not trying to prove Mr. Bearden did the "sticking" in this case. And....come on, Angela Tyler has suddenly come forward at the 11th hour....another tactic by the defense....creating witness testimony from thin air. The prosecution only has to prove that Mr. Bearden was a "principal" in the murder...that his actions encouraged the murder, eventhough by Bill Bill....you have to listen to all of the legal aspects of the case and understand the perspective. I have followed this trial closely, and I believe Mr. Bearden is just as guilty as Bill and should be found guilty on all charges. However, I feel that the Prosecution may not be able to get a guilty charge on first degree or felony murder, but I feel the jury will decide on a lesser charge. I feel that he will be found guilty on the 4 other charges. This crime was definately hate oriented, but the prosecution took the simplest route to get a conviction on. All you people who are chiming in need to think logically about this case before you are so ready to say this guy is innocent. He admitted to cleaning the car, of course there would not be many finger prints left behind...no telling what he used to wipe it down with....that's why there were no more prints found than was found. Also, the prosecution has no control over it's witnesses, but there is truth in what they have to say...just because they are meth addicts does not necessarily mean they cannot remember anything. I believe John Kirchoff's testimony to be very believable....and the generator probably did run out of gas...what he said made sense....none of you have ever had to use a generator for electricity when your power was off???? They do run out of gas....This whole ordeal is horrifying to have happened, but it did happen and Mr. Bearden and Bill Bill should be held accountable.

Joseph Bearden found guilty. This is bull!

well bearden was found guilty of second degree murder its just in on in session

I can believe the jurors found JB guilty. On the flipside of that, they did NOT hear what us watching heard and saw. I wonder what the jurors will think after they hear everything that we have heard. I can't believe the judge even allowed this to happened. What has happened to our justice system?

Guilty of 2cd degree murder!!! Yeah! It sounds like the jury tended to believe this was a hate crime. Justice is being served for Ryan. If Bearden thought the county jail was rough, wait until he is in prison! I have no sympathy for him at all.

I agree about Ashleigh, but thought it was just me. I find her sarcastic and snotty and think they should fire her. She does a diservice to Jack Ford, IMO.
As to the case, I thought he should have been found innocent, and I am sure I will be upset in a few minutes when they put him away for life.

guilty of 2nd degree murder! I think thats a good call. He will most likely get life. I didn't like to see him cry,but if he was involved with that young mans death he got what was comming. Can't wait for the next guy.

I feel rather upset by the result of the verdict of Joseph Bearden, i do not find that 2nd degree murder should have been a solution, although the jury deliberated long and hard, i do not believe he should have been placed at the scene when the crime took place, i do believe he is guilty of the other charges, and those were reasonable. I feel very upset for the Bearden family, and i hope they can work past this as it will be hard, i also feel for the Ryan Skipper family as well, but i think that Bearden facing a life sentence now is wrong, even if he was involved in some way as he said he was, he was 21 years old at that time, and change can happen if given a chance. I hope the other defendant gets what he deserves as he has pointed the finger at Joseph Bearden long enough. I will be 22 years old in April, and although i am a female, i couldn't begin to believe that such a man like Joseph would commit a crime, i am only basing this solely on what i have watched. Good Luck Joseph and my heart is with you!!!

i can't believe jamies comment about maria. About testimony coming from an uneducated peson. How arrogant. Sorry we all can't go to a top of the line school. It doesn't take school to have common sense and street smarts. She needs to find some class with what she says.

I honestly believe he should be charged with the other charges but Not murder. There wasnt anything that linked to it personal.

I think the jury did a commendable job finding Mr. Bearden guilty of 2nd degree murder. I think the verdict represents his own admission to his part in this crime.

As far as the knife not being entered into evidence by the judge; there was no evidence Mr. Bearden stabbed Mr. Skipper. So why admit into evidence a knife which has no bearing on Mr. Bearden's case? It would have been one more distraction from the facts of this specific case. I think the knife should come into evidence in the case for Mr. William "Bill-Bill" Brown, for whom there is a wealth of evidence to his direct participation in Mr. Skipper's death.

In the end, no matter what the final outcome, there will be no winners in this case. There are two families whose lives have been tragically altered by the events of the night of March 14, 2007. Whether or not any good will come out of this situation, depends upon how the family members choose to cope with this tragic event.

Even though Mr. Bearden is an admitted Meth user, he is a young man who has the option to turn his life around. Mr. Skipper doesn't have that option, but his family and friends have choices and hopefully will choose to work to inform others about the relationship between drug abuse and crime and how easily one can find oneself in a situation that's beyond one's control.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the families and friends of both men, Mr. Skipper and Mr. Bearden.

I have been clean from meth 15 years. There was not evidence I think to convict Bearden Of 2nd degree murder. Angela Tyler and knife was a key!! that could of helped. I believe Bearden was involved but not in murder. All the witness they had against him were unrelaiable. a meth user 10min could be 2 hours, I beleive the majority of them stuck together to pin it on Bearden. They dont want to lose there meth connections.Bearden particiapted because of the meth,My heart goes out to Ryan Skipper and his family, I think joesph got the tattoos to look hard in prision and to let others know dont mess with me im protected by a gang in here,Wrong move on his part before a trial!..I think knife and Angela Tyler testimony and threats against her will be grounds for APPEAL.I just know meth users willband together and lie but I would not beleiveanything they said.Especially if u are up for a couple of days u can hallucinate

the verdict is guilty of 2nd degree murder. Cant believe it. The jury was not privy to hardly any of the testimony this week.. shame, shame.
How long will it take for an appeal.
This "kid" is scared to death. Maybe death would be easier, than a lifetime of prison.

If one more Tru TV reporter says that Bearden should feel luck he is not facing the death penalty, I'm going to scream! How can someone feel "lucky" for spending a good portion of their life in prison for a crime that clearly was not proven in court he committed? This trial didn't even seem real, it reminded me of a bad movie.....Sad.

I am really surprised they found him guilty of 2nd degree murder, altho thank goodness it wasn't 1st degree. I honestly don't think this kid had a hand in the actual killing, he seems too much like a follower & got sucked into trying to get rid of the car by the real depraved killers Bill Bill & Ray Ray./brown. There just was not enough evidence to put him at the scene of the killing, imo. I like Judge Hunter but I also think he was wrong in not allowing time for the witness to come in from Tenn., that whole thing seemed whacked out to me.

THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT JUST.... THIS MAN IS NOT GUILTY, YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE AN IDIOT TO THINK HE IS!!!!!

this shouldlet us all know when you are out there drinking and smokeing and doing all kind of sin you put youself in these kind of mess and that what mr .Bearden done. and iam glad they finded him guilty. maybe he will find the lord in his life. i amglad he off the streets.
so he want be robbing nobody else.

thanks mae

I heard the verdict and I am disapointed. I just wonder what the heck the judge was thinking and why there would not be a continuence to check out the knife. To me that is a very important part of the puzzle. I think the judge, at least in my eyes, was hurrying this entire case along. I feel for both families, but I disagree with the verdict. I do believe he took part in the theft of Skipper's belongings, but there was no clear evidance to even link him as being present during the murder. People are judging him because of his lifestyle choices and the markings on his face. The only thing left to say is I am glad he didn't get the first degree verdict.

Mr. Bearden is NOT guilty of murder by any means. This was the job of the Brown's brothers. Mr. Bearden is only guilty of possession of stolen property and accersary after the fact.

LIFE and more! Not long ago he was crying now he's trying to act all bad. I can't belive the way he acted as he left the court. He even said I'll be back. I don't think so. Now the true man is showing. I don't think he is sorry, He's sorry he got cought!

I agree with D.I. The judge was DEFINATELY in a hurry! It seems like every witness in this case was really sketchy. Even if he was there I don't believe he was the one that killed him. All the other charges... yes, but he probably helped clean the mess because he freaked out. The other "weird-o" did it, no doubt. It will be interesting to see his trial. I hope you guys air it.

J.B. is going to have a tough time in prison, even with the markings on his face. I probably would rather have the death penalty than to live in prison. I can't help but feel for him. What if he really didn't do it? The only real evidence is one fingerprint...

I also feel for the family of the victim. Hopefully justice will be served with the real killer.

My first impression was he was guilty. I tried not to watch the trial but ended up watching part of it. Only today did I hear what he said in his statement. Without it I would have found him not guilty. Too bad he did not have a lawyer when they were questioning him. I hope he will get a new trial someday soon.

Another injustice. OJ walked, this kid gets life. That's how our justice system works? Scary.

I am really upset that this was the outcome as his sister in law. I went to visit him in jail and I just feel he did not do this. I believe he did deserve all of the other charges he got, but not this one.

For those of you who don't believe the knife should of been taking into consideration because Joey is not the one who they are accusing of using the knife I think the main reason defense wanted this evidence tested is because it could of linked Ray Brown to the scene. I still think Ray Brown is getting away with murder and cannot believe the judge would refuse this evidence. I think he is friends with prosecution. If Angela was telling the truth she screwed Joey over by not telling the police two years ago, but who would want to confess against a bunch of crackheads??

If this was a hate crime and William Brown did the stabbing how can robbery still be taken into account? And if he was convicted of theft how could robbery be accountable? It just doesn't make sense to me.

First let me say god bless the Skipper family and Im so sorry for their loss, may yyou get comfort and peace when this is all over. but the main thing here is a very young man may go to prision for the rest of his life .when he was not guitly, why would the judge not let very critial evidance into play like the knife (skicker) and the lady who placed other people not jp of being involed with this crime. something is wrong there, with that court system or is it the judge? to let all of that evidence not be aloud in court i think if the jury heard that information i strongly believe that he would have been NOT GUILTY. but the brown should be all of them

Several comments have been posted about Ashleigh Banfield and her sarcastic comments. I agree with all of them! I like that tru tv televises trials because doing so brings the justice system into our households, and lets us see and learn the process. However, I have a really difficult time watching her. I am really turned off by her running people down with her inappropriate and snide remarks, her judgment of poor and uneducated people, and quite frankly, her body language and demeanor. I was truly upset when, during the Rocky Houston trial, she presented her fake "southern accent", and I emailed her to let her know that she was disgusting. I used to respect her when she was reporting about 9/11, but remember that something happened, I just cannot remember what it was. It had something to do with her reporting or her attitude or something. Does anyone remember?

Mr. Bearden took Ryan to that house knowing that he was going to be robbed and he knew who these people are and what they were capable of . He said his self rob him and do what ever you are gonna do i just want my 10-15 dollars. So Mr. Bearden did not care what happened to Ryan and that he is resonsable for the murder as much as the rest. Mr. Bearden then decided to clean a murder scene and try to sell Ryan's car to get money. I have known Ryan for 10 years and he would have never gone with someone he did not know. I feel bad for Ryan's family and friends. This has to be so unbelieveable for Ryan's parents. Mr. Bearden put his self in this situation now he will have to deal with the consiquences. This is justice for Ryan not pitty for Mr. Beardon. I suggest that Mr. Bearden and people like him think before they act and think how their selfless acts will affect other people's lives. Mr. Bearden will live to see many other days but Ryan will not for trying to be a nice a generous person. I know that no matter what I think or anyone thinks who ever is guilty for this and what ever part they played in this will answer for it oneday and they will never be able to run from it or get away with it . My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan's family and friends. God bless the family and Ryan. We love and miss him very much.

I wonder when the appeal will begin

I work with students that have problems at high school, and i know when i see a guilty person. He is guilty just look at him the way he couldnt look up kept his head down. This boy needs to be send to death penalty hes is so guilty. Why should he get away with it. What about the boy that was kill. Thats sad the way the law is.

Ryan looked like a very nice person and am sure he was. I guess I just don't understand how a judge determines what evidence can come in or out. It isn't his life on the line. If the justice system is to work and we are trusting plain everyday folks to determine a person's outcome in a trial, then it only seems the only decent and practical thing to do is allow any and all evidence that the jury can hear and see. If a jury is given that much power, then allow ALL the evidence in. Bearden should have received a few years for his part but second degree murder should not be one of them. I hope Ray Brown is arrested and charged and also hope Mr. Bearden will get a new trial with the new evidence revealed. It isn't unusual for someone to come forward years later with information about something they know. I have found most people don't want any part of getting involved but sometimes their conscience is stronger than the desire to keep quiet. I hope Angela Tyler gets police protection also from Ray Brown after making those remarks.

I am SO SICK of seeing you people who don't live in Florida, who didn't know Ryan, and who have NO IDEA OF WHAT IS GOING ON call this a travesty of justice! THIS IS JUSTICE.

Joseph Bearden admitted to knowing about the robbery, to encouraging the robbery, and helping to clean up after it! What part of "accessory after the fact" do you people not understand?

I SINCERELY hope none of you ever have to experience losing someone you love. Ryan was a friend of mine, and I loved him dearly. It is very hurtful to come here and see so many people who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about saying that this is an injustice and that Joseph Bearden is innocent. He is NOT innocent. Even if he didn't stab my friend to death, he encouraged the robbery, and he helped clean up the crime after it happened. That makes him an accessory after the fact. He deserves to be punished.

It makes me sick that he was convicted.. truly sick. What Bearden said in the end to the judge was true – you could tell it in the conviction in his voice.

Ray Brown was with Bill Bill Brown when Ryan Skipper was murdered.. Ray Brown is walking around free tonight. How incredibly scary is that?

Justice was NOT served today. Sadly the guy never stood a chance. The Brown family all pinned this on Bearden.. Unbelievable.

I wonder if the jury would have reached a different verdict with Angela Tyler's testimony.. I was in tears today watching what happened.. I think if Bearden had $$ to pay for a better defense – he would have never been convicted of this crime.

I am just disgusted by the turn of events today – I cant sleep tonight because it is too upsetting.

I watch trials all the time and I usually always side with the prosecution but not in this case.

This case was NOT proven beyond a reasonable doubt. I don't think Bearden even really knew what was going on at the time..

I think the jury did a great job.
Bearden knew about the robbery befor it happened, this means he knew about the crime and then he cleans the car and trys to trade it for drugs this makes him just as involved as the others.
If you are the driver of a getaway car at a bank robbery and the guy inside kills someone the you as a part of the robbery is also part of the murder.
I did not hear anything that said that Bearden tryed to stop any part of the crime again he is as guilty as all the others.

I cannot believe that this is 2009 and there are still people out there who judge others based on their appearance rather than the depth of theri character. The only reason that Joseph Bearden had anything to do with these people is because they used him. He so desperately was seeking for people to accept him that he felll for the oldest trick that drug deallers use, false acceptance. They make you think they have your back all the while they are stabbing you in it. He is an injured little boy inside, having had his own birth mother commit suicide right afer meeting him, how do you think that made him feel? Of course he clung to these people, he didnt know any other way. He so desperatly wanted to be accepted and validated that he took to the first people that would accept him. They used him, and nowhe is taking the fall for them. And it isnt right. Someone please do something for him.

What do expect with 9 women and a priest on the jury? This will be a hung jury.

I agree with the comments about Ashleigh Banfield. Many times when she gets too opinionated and loud with her comments I turn off the TV or channel. As a journalist she forgets to stick to the facts. I used to like her at first but she has become too "holier than thou" and I wish she would be replaced.

What was formerly known as Court TV was sued because of Nancy Grace and her comments that "made" a woman commit suicide. One would think that TruTv would be more careful about their commentators. Lisa Bloom, Jami Floyd and Jack Ford are great. I wish they wouldn't have lost the other lawyers who were on Court TV due to the lawsuit and finances. We already lost two hours of Live Court coverage. And now I turn off at 1p.m. because of Ashleigh. What a shame. We need this live coverage to be better citizens able to see first-hand the injustices and the justice our courts enact!

How truly sad. I thought this young man should have been aquitted on any murder charges, because he is innocent. Unfortunaltely the jury was not privy to all the information given to tv viewers. An appeal is in order, but dear Lord how long will that take? This young man is terrified as he should be; prison is a very scary place. I have and will continue to pray for all envolved in this case.

i do not believe joseph beardon did this crime. i do believe he had a part in hiding the evidence by helping clean the car and being involved with the robbery. he had poor judgment in the people he chose to associate with because of being introduced to drugs by his biological mother at a young age. i have so much empathy for the victim's family but i do not believe that joseph beardon is the killer. the brown brothers appear to be quilty to me...

Joseph Bearden maybe guilty of drugs and theft, but he is not guilty of this murder. Bill Bill and his cousin Ray are the 2 guilty people in this crime. It is sad that people are looking at a tatoo to consider Joseph guilty. There is not evidence to link Joseph Bearden to this crime. The Judge should have listened to the testimony of the young lady whose life has been threatened. That is honesty and justice in this case. Ray Brown is the person that needs to be re-investigated for this crime. He is thinking right now that he has gotten away with murder!

Lillian-
None of us said he wasn't totally innocent. He isn't guilty of murder and actually taking that vehichle. His fingerprints weren't even inside the car! Only 2 outside the car were lifted. And I hope for your sake that none of your family members have to go to trial in the State of FL
because that was a joke!
The EVIDENCE didn't support the verdict at all! No weapon, prints, witnesses,ect. The judge has a vacation planned and needed this to be a done case quick!
I am glad I don't live in the State of Florida! And the people that do need to take a really hard look at the judical system there and make some changes before others go to prison for crimes they didn't commit.
Oh, and last there is a HUGE different between robbing someone and killing someone!

Faith,
you are right on!
i have actually met joey. and he is not some horrible cold blooded heartless individual.
he is actually very kind hearted.
his problem was drugs!
& he admitted to that. he admitted to everything he did on the police recording.
this is NOT justice! it was absolutely heartbreaking for anyone who knew joey to hear the verdict! just seeing the look in joeys eyes and how shocked he was proves that he had faith in the justuce system and that the truth would come out & he was completely let down.
i pray they have smart people like you, that can see the truth, to decide over his appeal!
& to everyone who knew ryan, he was absolutely beautful. even just in pictures of him you can see how amazing he was. so i am terribly saddened for the loss. However, if i was you i would want Ray Allen off the streets of Bartow and into the prison cell he so obviously belongs in.

I truely believe that the jury should hear all the evidence before making any decission. Knowing how this goes and seeing evidence that is kept from a jury to hear or see, I for one will never be a juror. I believe if the jury had all the evidence things might have gone differently. Theres a chance this boy had absolutely no part in this murder, all the fingers seem to point to Ray Ray Brown and Bill Bill. And if thats the case this boy was let down by everyone starting with a (mother that should never had had a child.) My heart breaks for Ryan's parents, but I don't think they want any justice they want their son's killer. Not that his attorney wasn't any good, but I hope a very well known and Good hearted Attorney takes on this appeal and helps this boy. How many times does he have to be let down? My heart breaks for him as well.

It seems to me by reading all the comments had all of us sat on this jury this boy would be free right now. Watching this trial made me want to reach into the tv and just give this child a hug and tell him it will be all right. He is so deathly terrified, I couldn't imagine being his adopted Mom. He did something stupid as kids do. He should have left this situation. I hope and pray he gets a new trial and that the jurors get ALL the evidence. And they don't have a judge thats in such a darn rush to get thru it.

Reading these other comment enlightened me. I always wondered why Court tv shortened the hours they aired trials. I watch this station at work and cannot continue to watch after it goes off the air at 2:00 central time. I have to change the channel as I refuse to watch the shows that are re-runs after re-runs, and for awhile there they started doing that with the trials also. I don't know why they had to ruin such a good thing they had going. If they keep on they will risk losing all their viewers. So when court ends at 2 the channel gets changed!!

OMG I had no idea Nancy Grace intterogation drove someone to commit suicided. That is awful. Are they keeping her after the lawsuit
is over?

How can any of you say he is guilty as charged..because of the way he looks? His expressions? You know nothing- I don't know whether he is innocent or guilty, i was not there- and neither were you.. and you "stephanie" maybe someday you will be an innocent person sentenced to life if prison or death for something you didn't commit..perhaps then you can feel justified in judging others guilty- Dont say guilty unless you know it is a fact- and then do you have the right to judge?

Lack of evidence! Although, I think he defininately has vital info that
could enlighten the situation and could stop himself from doing hard
time. And that tattoo of a knife, regardless of jailhouse intimidatation,
will probably get him the conviction.

Most violent crimes are releted to some type of an addiction. Its a fact in the drug world what ever it takes to feel better to escape reality il do,thats from a recovering addict. M.R.N.

Michael/M.R.N.- Hats off to you on your recovery. I understand where you are coming from, I have a son that was a meth addict, and unless you know or have been an addict your self, you really can't comprehend the power and control that meth or any other drug addiction has over a person. I thank God, my son is alive and well, and is in recovery. There is hope, and I hope that anyone that watched this trial, takes a long hard look at the reality of the dope world. God bless you, and OWN your sobriety.

Is there any way I can write to Joseph Bearden, I know someone who is very close to me murdered his girl friend got 30yrs. He also was a heavy meth user.There is no rehab in prison death is all around you,
letters from the outside are the only normal contact they get. He will
learn many lessons in the big house.

I feel like if he did this, he must spend life in prison. I am opposed to the death penalty as I believe that killing someone does not show that life is sacred. We kill to prove that killing is wrong? Just doesnt work for me.

Hi Jean,
I am a huge fan and an avid trial and court watcher. I watched the Bearden trial with mixed emotions. How sad to see such young people throw their lives away for drugs. It would be my pleasure if you would be on my FaceBook list. I always look forward to your reports and commentaries. Your current trial in Cape May Court House, N.J. is a very sad case. Their will be no winners in this outcome. Keep up the good work.

does anyone know when Ray Allen Brown goes to trial ?

Rumor has it Brown was already convicted of first degree murder and has a life sentence.