TAMPA, FL. – Prosecutors with the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office have secured a sentence of life in prison for Robert Beausejour, Jr. after he broke into a house and killed his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in a fit of jealousy on December 5, 2019.
In the weeks leading up to December 5, 40-year-old Beausejour had made several threats to the victim through text messages. Beausejour was angry because the victim was dating Beausejour’s ex-girlfriend. Beausejour made a specific statement that he “had one for” the victim—referring to a bullet.
On the date of the murder, Beausejour went to the victim’s home in Tampa. He snuck up to the window and saw the victim and his ex-girlfriend in bed together. Beausejour, enraged, began trying to kick in the door of the victim’s home.
The victim called 911 and told the dispatcher that Beausejour had been yelling and challenging him to come outside and was now trying to break into the home. The ex-girlfriend went to hide in the bedroom while the victim went to check the security of the door.
Beausejour was able to break into the home and shot the victim once, killing him. Beausejour then grabbed his ex-girlfriend’s cell phone and tried to force her to come with him. He failed to get her to leave and ultimately fled. Law enforcement officers later tracked Beausejour down and arrested him.
Assistant State Attorneys Lindsey Hodges and Megan Newcomb prosecuted the case. On Friday, June 11, a jury found Beausejour guilty of premediated first-degree murder with a firearm and armed burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery.
Following the guilty verdicts, Judge Samantha Ward sentenced Beausejour to life in prison for the charge of murder, as well as 50 years in prison for the burglary charge. The sentences will be served concurrently.
“This outcome delivers justice for this victim, his family, and our community. While we know this sentence can’t bring back the person they loved, they and the public can rest assured that the man who murdered him will be facing the consequences, inside a prison cell, for the rest of his life,” Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said.