A man accused of gunning down a high schooler as he walked to school has been found guilty of second-degree murder.
Police said Travon Donnell Bennett, now 21, shot and killed 18-year-old Marckel Ross during a failed robbery on the morning of Sept. 11, 2012.
In addition to second-degree murder, Bennett was also found guilty Tuesday of felony murder, armed robbery and other related charges. He faces life plus additional years in prison when he's sentenced, reported News4's Tracee Wilkins.
"I think he should stay in jail for the rest of his life. At least he still has his life. My son doesn't have his life," Marckel's mother Elizabeth Ross said. "I'm glad I've received my justice."
Bennett was arrested in February 2013, more than five months after Ross' death. There were no witnesses to the shooting, but Bennett confessed to a fellow prisoner through a wire tap.
"I tried to rob a kid and he bucked. He flinched and I jumped back and shot him," Bennett is heard saying.
Bennett is facing another trial for a separate shooting and robbery. That victim survived, and testified against Bennett.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
On the morning he died, Ross, a junior, had been on his way to Central High School in District Heights, Maryland, where he was making honor roll and was involved in track and ROTC.
The school's principal told News4's Tracee Wilkins that Ross had also been in the modeling club and was a beloved student.
The memory of Marckel Ross was honored in 2013 at a graduation ceremony for Central High School students.
