Mr. Sheppard was convicted of the first-degree murders of Patrick Stafford and 16-year-old Monquell Wimberly, who were fatally shot in 2008. The jury recommended a life sentence for the murder of Mr. Stafford and voted 8-4 to recommend a death sentence for the murder of Mr. Wimberly. The trial court condemned Mr. Sheppard to death. This is his direct appeal.