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BARTOW, FL -- Joseph Bearden has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of 2nd degree murder for the death of Ryan Skipper, a 25-year-old gay college student.
Prosecutors charged him with first degree murder, but jurors could not find him guilty on that count, or a lesser charge of 2nd degree murder with a weapon.
Skipper was found stabbed to death on Morgan Road and 19th Street West in Wahneta on March 14, 2007.
Investigators said Skipper had offered a ride to Bearden after midnight March 14.
They said the pair went to Skipper's house to smoke marijuana and pick up a personal computer to be used to copy checks. The pair then left to meet a second defendant, William Brown.
Investigators say Brown and Bearden decided to rob Skipper and left with him. About 15 minutes later, they returned to Skipper's home with his car, but without Skipper.
Detectives treated the death as a hate crime. A witness told investigators that Brown said Skipper was "messing" with him, and that's why he was murdered.
Skipper's car was later found abandoned at an Auburndale boat ramp.
Bearden was also found guilty of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Tampering with Evidence, Receiving Stolen Property, and Accessory to Robbery after the Fact.
20-year-old William Brown Junior is also charged with Skipper's murder.
His case could go to trial in October.
