October 10, 2025

Mistrial Declared for Jacksonville Murder Case Involving Teen Death

News Summary

In Jacksonville, a Duval County judge declared a mistrial for Marcel Johnson, accused in the murder of 13-year-old Prince Holland, as the jury could not reach a unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Kentrevious Garard was found not guilty. The incident involved a drive-by shooting connected to gang violence, leaving one victim permanently blind and raising concerns around escalating crime in the area.

Jacksonville, Florida – A Duval County judge declared a mistrial for 25-year-old Marcel Johnson after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding his involvement in the murder of 13-year-old Prince Holland. Meanwhile, the same jury found 27-year-old Kentrevious Garard not guilty on all charges after nearly 45 minutes of deliberation.

Both Johnson and Garard stood trial for the shooting incident that resulted in the death of Prince Holland on December 3, 2022, while he was returning home from football tryouts. The incident involved a drive-by shooting, where four other individuals were present in the vehicle with Holland. A 20-year-old man suffered critical injuries, while an 11-year-old was also injured; two other teenagers, aged 14 and 15, managed to escape uninjured.

Prosecutors indicated that the intended target of the shooting was the 20-year-old driver of the vehicle. The shooting has been linked to escalating violence between rival street gangs known as “322” and “320.” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters described the incident as a culmination of ongoing gang conflicts that have intensified in recent months.

During the trial, testimonies revealed that one of the surviving victims is now permanently blind. Prosecutors alleged that Johnson was the getaway driver and that Garard was the one who fired the shots. They presented evidence including video footage and social media links to substantiate Johnson’s involvement in the planning and execution of the shooting.

In response, Johnson’s attorney argued that he was simply the driver and did not directly participate in the shooting. Garard took the stand in his defense, admitting to providing false information to police during the investigation but denied any involvement in the shooting itself. The defense for Garard emphasized a lack of hard evidence linking him to the crime.

The jury deliberated for more than eight hours before reaching their verdicts. Following the declaration of mistrial for Johnson, a status hearing is scheduled for him on October 21, 2025. Johnson’s case will continue as the judicial process unfolds.

Chantel Brown, mother of the deceased Prince Holland, expressed feelings of injustice and deep sorrow over the trial’s outcome. The trial featured emotional testimony from various witnesses, including the coach who was driving the vehicle during the shooting and individuals who witnessed the horrifying event unfold.

The murder weapon used in the shooting was described as a Zastava-style rifle, which had reportedly been handled by Johnson’s brother in the past. Investigators revealed that ongoing threats of violence and prior interactions suggested a backdrop of continued gang conflict. Jurors were instructed that for a conviction to be reached, a unanimous decision was essential.

The trial extended over a week and involved testimonies from multiple sources, including the family members of the victim and law enforcement officials. The complex case highlights the tragic implications of gang-related violence and the impact it has on the community.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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