PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a Palm Beach County substitute teacher and football star and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Deputies said Garry Pierre gunned down 25-year-old Christo Maccius on July 30, 2016 outside O’Connor’s Pub at Sandalfoot Plaza in suburban Boca Raton.
Maccius was a standout athlete at West Boca High School, and eventually became a substitute teacher there.
On Thursday, jurors unanimously convicted Pierre. Not long after, a judge sentenced him to life.
Pierre said he was not guility, sends his condolences to the family, and says he will appeal.
RELATED: West Boca retires football jersey of murdered teacher | Family and friends remember Maccius for smile, sense of humor
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Maccius told his friends at the bar he got into a fight with Pierre about four years prior. Prosecutors called this a revenge killing.
During deliberations on Wednesday, jurors asked five questions. They wanted to see parts of the trial transcript, a police interview with Pierre, as well as several videos, including surveillance video of the shooting.
WPTV's Miranda Christian is in court, and will provide updates throughout the day.
