A Florida homicide suspect's attempt to establish an alibi using his phone's FaceTime records backfired during a police interrogation in December 2022.
According to Daily Mail, Marcel Johnson, 24, charged with the murder of 13-year-old Prince Holland, had his alibi dismantled when detectives revealed his phone was turned off during the time of the shooting in Jacksonville, Florida.
The fatal incident occurred while Holland was returning from football tryouts when shots were fired at an SUV at the intersection of Moncrief and New Kings Road. Two other individuals in the vehicle, a young man and a child, were also struck by bullets but survived the attack. Investigators believe Johnson was driving the car while his friend Kentrevious Garard fired the shots.
Police expose suspect's phone activity during interrogation
During the December 15, 2022 questioning, Johnson claimed he was actively using FaceTime when the shooting took place. However, detectives who had obtained his phone records quickly exposed the falsity of his statement. The interrogator confronted Johnson with evidence showing his device was completely powered off during the shooting and was only turned back on 20 minutes afterward.
A detective addressed Johnson's false alibi directly, as shown in footage published by Law & Crime. The detective stated:
You ain't scrolling, you ain't on FaceTime. You ain't getting DMs. You ain't doing none of that stuff because your phone is off. Your phone is turned completely off.
The interrogation became more intense as investigators pressed Johnson about his alleged involvement in the shooting of a vehicle containing children. Both Johnson and Garard maintain their innocence in Holland's death, with their next hearing scheduled for February 4.
Jacksonville's efforts to reduce murder rates show progress
The case emerged during a period when Jacksonville was struggling with its reputation as Florida's "murder capital." However, recent statistics indicate significant improvement in the city's homicide rates. Under Sheriff T.K. Waters' leadership, murders decreased from 134 in 2022 to 122 in 2023, followed by a dramatic 50 percent reduction to 59 cases in 2024.
Waters attributes this success to maintaining adequate police funding and resisting calls to reduce law enforcement resources. The sheriff emphasized that the 2024 figure represents the lowest number of murders since 1995 despite Jacksonville's population growth to nearly one million residents.
The department's achievements in reducing violent crime have helped challenge Jacksonville's negative reputation. Waters expressed his determination to change public perception, stating:
We've long had the poor reputation of being the murder capital of Florida, which I resent. I don't like it at all - our city is a lot more than that.
Critical developments shape ongoing investigation
The case against Johnson and Garard has gained significant attention due to the young age of the victim and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The investigation has focused on dismantling the suspects' alibis while gathering evidence about their alleged roles in the incident.
Both suspects face serious charges relating to the shooting that claimed Holland's life and injured two others. The upcoming February hearing will be crucial in determining the direction of the case against both men.
Jacksonville authorities continue to investigate the case while maintaining their broader commitment to reducing violent crime in the city. The department's recent success in lowering murder rates provides context for their handling of this high-profile case.
Consequences await key hearing outcome
Marcel Johnson and Kentrevious Garard face murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Prince Holland, who was killed while returning from football tryouts in Jacksonville. The case gained prominence after police interrogation footage revealed Johnson's phone-based alibi was false, as records showed his device was turned off during the shooting. The suspects' next court appearance on February 4 will determine how the case proceeds while Jacksonville continues its successful efforts to reduce violent crime under Sheriff T.K. Waters' leadership.
