Verdict in woman's death comes on her birthday

Irv Hoffman and Margie Weiss had plans for honoring their copper-haired daughter on what would have been her 25th birthday today, including a long visit at Rachel Hoffman's Palm Harbor grave.

But in an uncanny twist, a panel of Tallahassee jurors delivered a powerful message neither parent could have foreseen on this bittersweet day: a verdict of first-degree murder and robbery for one of the men accused in their daughter's shooting death on a remote, dead-end road during a disastrous drug sting last year.

"It's like the jury was waiting for this day to give Rachel this gift for her birthday," said Irv Hoffman, crying tears of joy tempered with profound grief. "It's a gift for her and for all of us."

Hoffman drove home to Palm Harbor from Tallahassee on Thursday morning before the verdict was announced to visit his daughter's grave. Upon hearing the news, well-wishers stopped by throughout the day, bringing balloons, flowers, colorful plants and other tokens. They shared a carrot cake inscribed, "Happy birthday Rachel. Forever Love."

"I'm just happy justice was given," Hoffman said by telephone. Jurors deliberated 22 hours over three days before bringing back a verdict that could mean death for Deneilo Bradshaw, 24. Friday, the panel will reconvene to make a recommendation on Bradshaw's punishment.

Last week, the jury listened to 30 prosecution witnesses who outlined Bradshaw's involvement in Rachel Hoffman's slaying.

Hoffman, who was in a drug court diversion program, was trying to clear her record of marijuana charges by assisting Tallahassee police in nabbing Bradshaw and his step brother-in-law, Andrea Green. Green's trial is slated for October.

First, she wore a police wire on a visit to the auto detailing shop where Bradshaw and Green worked. In an audiotape played in court, Hoffman can be heard speaking with Bradshaw, asking him for his help scoring some cocaine, Ecstasy pills and a handgun.

Later that day, the small, pearl-handled gun used in the shooting was reported stolen from a car in the shop.

On the day of the drug bust, Hoffman took off in her Volvo with $13,000 in marked bills, surrounded by 19 law enforcement officers, who then lost her as she tried to follow Green's instructions. Her police wire went dead, although Hoffman could not have known that.

By the time police found Gardner Road in northern Leon County, the last site mentioned by Hoffman, all that remained were one of her black flip-flops, live rounds and spent shell casings. Bradshaw led officers to her body 36 hours later.

The outcry from Hoffman's friends over what they saw as police complicity in her death was immediate, and her story made national headlines. The notoriety escalated when a Leon County grand jury blamed Tallahassee police for the tragedy.

Friends said she was a small-time pot dealer who sold to her college buddies, keeping some for free or making a little money.

She was described time and again as a peaceful, nurturing friend who loved cooking, reggae music and animals. She earned a degree in psychology from Florida State University with a B average.

In the months after her death, her angry and sorrowful parents appeared on "20/20" and "Dateline" in their campaign for Rachel's Law, approved by the state Legislature in May and offering increased protection for confidential informants. They also filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Tallahassee pending the conclusion of both criminal trials.

Only Investigator Ryan Pender, who was in charge of the operation, lost his job. On the stand last week in Bradshaw's trial, he testified that Hoffman told him she was selling more than $1 million a year in marijuana, which would have meant she was the largest pot dealer in Tallahassee history.

Prosecutors later scoffed at the claim, saying that would make Hoffman the Pablo Escobar of Tallahassee, referring to the notorious Columbian drug lord.

During the first week of Bradshaw's trial, which began Dec. 7, prosecution witnesses traced the actions of Bradshaw and Green the night of the murder as they first ditched Green's car, dumped Hoffman's body by the side of a rural road, and tried to get a cousin to destroy her Volvo. First, however, they tried to wipe away her blood with bleach bought with marked bills.

The men paid friends to drive them to Orlando, where Bradshaw bought marijuana, had sex with a girlfriend and went on a shopping spree for clothing and jewelry.

He later led agents to Hoffman's body, covered by her yellow sleeping bag and a Grateful Dead T-shirt. She had been shot five times.

Defense attorneys presented only two witnesses Monday, both jailhouse buddies of Green, who testified he told them he killed Hoffman and threatened Bradshaw if he failed to drive Hoffman's car with her body inside.

Prosecutors countered that Bradshaw had ample opportunities to get away.

The trial was brisk, but deliberations dragged. Even Judge Mark Walker expressed surprise at the length of time jurors were taking.

On Tuesday, deliberations lasted 9 1/2 hours; on the second day, almost 12. But after one hour on Thursday, they returned the guilty verdict.

Bradshaw's stepfather and mother, who had been in the courtroom all week, were not in court when the verdict was announced. Bradshaw, who has remained solemn and stoic throughout the proceedings, did not react.

Weiss, of Safety Harbor, and her husband, Mike, held each other as jury members confirmed their verdict, one by one.

Leaving the courtroom, Weiss told the cluster of cameras and reporters that she needed to be alone. In court, she wore the Star of David necklace given to Rachel at her bat mitzvah.

"I was going to release 25 butterflies for her" at her grave Thursday, she said later. "But I had to be here for my daughter."

Bradshaw's parents, Karey and Judianna Freeman, who run a prison ministry, said the verdict was God's will.

"I'm standing as his mother, and I am standing here as a child of the living God. Deneilo was put here for a purpose," she said.

Karey Freeman said he believes his stepson is innocent of murder.

"I believe that the evidence shows he might be guilty, but guilty of something else," he said.

He then recited the Lord's Prayer, which his wife punctuated with cries of "Yes!" and "Praise Jesus!" Afterward, she laughed aloud.

Today the jury will consider possible penalties, including death by injection. Margie Weiss plans to read a statement about her daughter and the impact of her loss on the family.

Bradshaw's parents also are expected to speak for their son before sentencing.

The judge ultimately will decide Bradshaw's fate after considering the jury's recommendation.