FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The two men convicted of killing Coral Springs firefighter Christopher Randazzo were sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday.
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Torrey Holston and Jose Romero were convicted in May of killing the 39-year-old.
In October 2019, Randazzo’s body was found near the Southern Seas Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. His iPhone, sneakers, wallet and keys were taken after he was shot in the back of the head.
Although both men were found guilty of murder, they were not found guilty of possessing a gun or discharging a firearm.
“I think the jury was clear and unanimous on the involvement of both. It perhaps couldn’t find beyond a reasonable doubt who is the actual (gunman),” Judge Michael A. Usan said.
John Whalen was the fire chief in Coral Springs when Randazzo was hired.
He told Local 10 News the weight of losing Randazzo never faded, and he’s constantly thinking of the pain that his family feels.
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“Chris was an amazing individual,” said Whalen. “He was larger than life. He would bear hug you.”
Romero’s attorney, Jim Lewis, told Local 10 in May that an appeal is being considered and said trying both men together was a “detriment.”
“We had always asked to be separate. Jose Romero was never alleged to carry a gun in this incident. The co-defendant was, so to some extent, we paid the price,” Lewis said.
Prosecutors were not seeking the death penalty in the case, but both men faced mandatory life sentences.
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