MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Sunday that after several hours of deliberations, a criminal court jury found a former University of Memphis students guilty as indicted for the 2007 murder of a U of M football player. 

The jury convicted Devin Jefferson, 23, for first degree murder in the perpetration of attempted especially aggravated robbery.  Jefferson received an automatic sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 51 years.

According to testimony, Jefferson devised a plan to rob Taylor Bradford, 21, as he was leaving his on campus apartment on September 30, 2007.  Three co-defendants, who have been indicted and are awaiting trial, allegedly carried out the botched robbery during which Bradford was shot and killed.  Jefferson was not present at the time of the shooting but under Tennessee law the jury found him criminally responsible for the murder. 

First degree murder is a charge covered by the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes. Exceptions to the policy are made only for legal or ethical reasons.

Assistant District Attorneys Reginald Henderson and Ray Lepone prosecuted this case.