Alyssa Marie Blackburn, 25, will spend the rest of her life in prison for her role in the 2022 slaying of her boyfriend, Jesse Geoghagan, who was fatally shot while attempting to hide from intruders in his own home.
First Judicial Circuit Judge Amy P. Brodersen on Wednesday sentenced Blackburn to life in a state correctional facility without the possibility of parole.
An Escambia County jury found her guilty in August of being a principal to second-degree murder, meaning she participated, assisted, or encouraged the killing, which prosecutors branded a “search and destroy mission.”
A Coordinated Attack
The attack took place on October 29, 2022, at Geoghagan’s home in Pensacola. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Blackburn actively directed the two men who carried out the murder: Jacob Colville and Lawrence Bonner Jr.
During the trial, prosecutors presented text messages indicating Blackburn knew Colville and Bonner intended to kill Geoghagan.
After the initial “sweep” of the residence failed to locate Geoghagan, video surveillance and eyewitness statements showed Blackburn exiting the home and communicating with the men. One of the men, Colville, even called Blackburn from her cell phone to confirm Geoghagan was inside before re-entering the residence.
Geoghagan was ultimately found hiding in his bedroom closet and was shot multiple times by Colville.
Fabricated Alibi and Co-Conspirators’ Sentences
In the immediate aftermath of the murder, Blackburn told investigators a fabricated story, claiming she was walking the dog during the home invasion and returned to find Geoghagan shot.
However, her account was quickly undercut by the evidence.
The two men who murdered Geoghagan have also been convicted and sentenced.
- Jacob Colville, the shooter, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder in June 2024 and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
- Lawrence Bonner Jr. reached a plea deal with prosecutors in August 2024, pleading no contest to second-degree murder in exchange for cooperation against Blackburn. He was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served.
READ: Florida Killer Asks U.S. Supreme Court To Block Execution, Citing Age As ‘Cruel Punishment’
Victim’s Family Pleads for Life Sentence
Before Judge Brodersen handed down the sentence, several of Geoghagan’s family members addressed the court, imploring the judge to ensure Blackburn served a life term.
Geoghagan’s sister, Ashley Arnold, shared the devastating impact of her brother’s loss. “Now that he’s gone, everything is different. He was just trying to come home that day, and now he’s sitting on a shelf in my house,” she said.
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