A Tampa jury recommended the death penalty Wednesday for rapper Billy Adams over the killing of his pregnant girlfriend’s unborn child. Jurors also recommended life without parole for Adams’ murder conviction in the death of Alana Sims, 22.
The recommendations followed Tuesday’s guilty verdicts on both counts. Jurors deliberated for roughly five hours before finding Adams guilty.
During Wednesday’s penalty phase, prosecutors urged jurors to impose the death penalty. The state argued that multiple aggravating factors supported capital punishment in the case.
“It was a cold, calculated, premeditated murder of her mother, knowing that she was pregnant of baby girl Sims,” prosecutors told the jury.
The state also cited the age of Sims’ unborn child as an aggravating factor. Prosecutors described the fetus as a child younger than 12 under the applicable law.
“The killing of a defenseless, vulnerable child, still under the protection of her mother’s womb,” prosecutors said.
Jurors voted 8-4 to recommend death for the killing of Sims’ unborn child. They recommended life without parole for Adams’ conviction in Sims’ death.
Prosecutors alleged Adams shot Sims in the back of the head from about three feet away. The shooting occurred in an unfinished area of Tampa’s Easton Park neighborhood.
Jury Delivers Death Penalty Recommendation After Rapper Billy Adams Guilty Verdict
The state alleged Adams lured Sims to the location because he wanted to pursue a relationship with his “main” girlfriend. Prosecutors said Adams believed Sims was carrying his child.
A later determination established that Adams was not the biological father of the unborn child, prosecutors said.
Adams’ family testified Wednesday in an effort to persuade jurors to spare his life. His stepmother and two younger brothers described their relationships with him.
“He means everything to me. That’s why I started pursuing education the way I did,” one brother testified.
Family members said Adams earned a degree from the University of South Florida. They described his upbringing as loving and supportive.
His stepmother became emotional while testifying. She said she had served as a maternal figure since Adams was young.
“Always was respectable, never had any issues with him,” she said. “He was just one of those kids that melts your heart.”
Adams wiped away tears and made a heart gesture toward her.
A Spencer hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1. The defense can present additional sentencing evidence at that hearing.
The judge will determine whether to accept the jury’s recommendations and formally sentence Adams.
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