Rapper Billy Adams is facing a possible death sentence after a Tampa jury recommended capital punishment Wednesday in the killing of his pregnant girlfriend’s unborn child.
The jury also recommended life in prison without parole for Adams’ murder conviction in the death of Alana Sims, 22.
The recommendations came one day after jurors found Adams guilty on both counts following roughly five hours of deliberations.
During Wednesday’s penalty phase, prosecutors urged jurors to recommend death, arguing that several aggravating circumstances supported capital punishment.
Prosecutors described Sims’ killing as a “cold, calculated, premeditated murder” and argued that Adams knew she was pregnant at the time.
The state also pointed to the age of Sims’ unborn child as an aggravating factor under the applicable Florida law, describing the fetus as a child younger than 12.
Jurors ultimately voted 8-4 in favor of recommending death for the killing of Sims’ unborn child. For Sims’ murder, they recommended life without parole.
Prosecutors alleged Adams shot Sims in the back of the head from approximately three feet away. The shooting happened in an unfinished area of Tampa’s Easton Park neighborhood.
The state further alleged that Adams lured Sims to the location because he wanted to pursue a relationship with his “main” girlfriend. Prosecutors said Adams believed Sims was carrying his child.
A later determination established that Adams was not the biological father of the unborn child, according to prosecutors.
As prosecutors pushed for the harshest possible sentence, Adams’ family took the stand to ask jurors to spare his life.
His stepmother and two younger brothers testified about their relationship with him and described a supportive upbringing.
One of his brothers told jurors Adams “means everything to me,” adding that his relationship with his brother inspired him to pursue education.
Family members also testified that Adams earned a degree from the University of South Florida.
His stepmother became emotional while describing the maternal role she had played in Adams’ life since he was young.
She told the jury that Adams had always been respectful and said he was “one of those kids that melts your heart.”
Adams wiped away tears during her testimony and responded by making a heart gesture toward her.
The jury’s recommendation does not by itself constitute Adams’ final sentence.
A Spencer hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1, when the defense will have an opportunity to present additional sentencing evidence.
The judge will then determine whether to accept the jury’s recommendations and formally sentence Adams in the case.
