Death penalty sought for man who 'killed Lyft driver during getaway attempt'

28 September 2023 , 15:42

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Matthew Flores is accused of killing Gary Levin while fleeing another killing, and now, prosecutors want the death penalty against him

A man stands accused of murdering a Lyft driver as he himself desperately sought to escape a nearby robbery-turned-murder in a horrific string of violence that ravaged a Florida city. And now, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against him.

Mathew Flores was charged with first-degree murder for the "cold, calculated and premeditated manner" in which he allegedly slaughtered 74-year-old Gary Levin, who had been sitting in his 2022 Kia Stinger, waiting to pick up Flores. He was also charged with armed robbery, another felony.

At the time, Flores had been fleeing a robbery in the area. He allegedly entered Levin's vehicle, shot him to death, and then stole his car to make a swift getaway. He later dumped Levin's body near Lake Okeechobee, a water body in the county of the same name, which is about 64 miles (103km) northwest of West Palm Beach.

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Flores has a rap sheet that includes prior auto thefts, and he is also being charged with another murder (WPBF 25 News)

The authorities later found him in North Carolina, where he was apprehended after a high-speed chase in Levin's car. That was three days after the alleged killing, which took place on January 30.

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Okeechobee County prosecutors filed their intent to pursue a death sentence against 36-year-old Flores earlier this month, citing the "aggravating" circumstances of his case, including the robbery he had been reportedly fleeing from.

Flores was jailed without bond and is set to be arraigned next week in Okeechobee County. As of yet, he has no attorney listed for him. He was also charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 43-year-old Jose Carlos Martinez, who was slaughtered in Hardee County in central Florida six days prior on January 24.

Prosecutors have stated they are pursuing the death penalty against Flores for the 'cold, calculated and premeditated' murder of Levin (AP)

Following Martinez's death, prosecutors allege that Flores stole multiple cars, which allowed him to make his way to Palm Beach County. There, a friend ordered him a ride using the Lyft app, but that friend isn't facing charges, having been unaware of Flores's wanted status.

It was Levin who reportedly accepted that Lyft request. Investigators found his body by Lake Okeechobee five days after the slaying after they retraced Flores's ride to North Carolina.

The 36-year-old had also served prison time before this latest string of charges, serving a year for auto theft, grand theft and the illegal possession of a firearm in 2017.

It remains unclear how Flores will plead next week. His murder charge carries the death sentence, while his armed robbery charge could see him jailed for life.

Jeremiah Hassel