Courtney ‘Murder’ Lawrence, who has his nickname tattooed on his neck, admitted murder after his friend Emmanuel Johnson was killed during a botched home invasion in May 2016 (Pictures: Manatee County Sheriff’s Office/Fox13)

A man known as Murder who has his nickname tattooed across the front of his neck has pleaded guilty to murder.

The killer, whose real name is Courtney Lawrence, pleaded guilty to killing Emmanuel Johnson during a court hearing Monday, over a fatal incident following their attempt at a home invasion robbery in May 2016.

That robbery, in Bradenton, Florida, saw Lawrence, 30, Johnson and a third accomplice shot at by the 38 year-old homeowner whose house they’d targeted in a pre-planned raid.

Johnson was left laying on the driveway of the house afterwards, and later died.


Lawrence admitted second-degree murder, attempted murder with a firearm and armed burglary for embroiling Johnson in the crime that ultimately ended up killing him.

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He was caught after turning up at hospital shortly after the shooting with gunshot wounds to his buttocks, as well as a shoulder injury.



The Miami Herald reported that Lawrence was sentenced to 40 years in jail, and must serve at least 10 before he is considered eligible for parole.

He did not speak during the court hearing, with Johnson’s family reportedly becoming more emotional as the sentencing progressed.

Shortly after Johnson’s death, his grieving mother told sheriff’s deputies she had warned her son not to hang around with Lawrence because of his violent past.

He attempted the home invasion while on probation for armed robbery with a deadly weapon and drug dealing.

Lawrence is also a suspect in the 2011 killing of James Earl Collins, 26, who was shot dead during an armed robbery.