A man who orchestrated the killing of a 17-year-old girl after she reported him to the police for sexual assault has been found guilty of murder. Lenard White, aged 37, was reported by Isabella Scavelli and her mother, La Shawn Pope, to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on February 6, 2023. The report detailed that White had sexually assaulted the teenager. Tragically, the very next day, Isabella was fatally shot by a gunman as she opened her front door.
The assailant, Sheldon Robinson, carried out the attack, which led authorities to apprehend White, his cousin. Following a trial by a federal jury, the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida confirmed White’s conviction on various charges, including murder and murder for hire.
White was found guilty of multiple offenses, such as conspiracy to commit murder for hire, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Isabella, a high school junior involved in various school activities, including ROTC, was shot in the back while attempting to flee for help upon seeing Robinson at her door, prosecutors stated.
Isabella’s mother, La Shawn, sustained injuries during the attack and witnessed her daughter’s tragic death. She was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The murder weapon was recovered from Robinson’s backyard six months later. Both White and Robinson were convicted on a range of charges and now face potential life sentences. Their sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2026.
