1Lake City, FL – Matthew Rice, 18, received a life sentence on Thursday for the murder of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. A jury convicted Rice of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder after a shooting that occurred in August.

The incident involved a dispute between Mariah’s brother and the suspects, during which Rice fired at least 25 rounds into her home. Last month, 17-year-old Jayden Burch also received a life sentence for his role in the shooting.

Prosecutors indicated Rice’s DNA was found on one of the firearms used. They claimed school officials made multiple attempts to address Rice’s behavior without success.

Burch was described as the ringleader by the prosecution. According to assistant state attorney Sean Crisafulli, Burch initiated the violent conf

See Full Page