Jury begins deliberations in 2023 Collier County attempted murder trial

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

A Collier County jury is now deliberating after closing arguments wrapped up Tuesday in the trial over the 2023 shooting of Scotty McCandless and Amy Chesser.

Prosecutors say Rebecca Gabay, McCandless’ ex-wife, and her boyfriend at the time, Ryan Toranzo, planned and carried out the attack along Immokalee Road on June 1, 2023.

State: A planned attack tied to custody dispute

During closing arguments, prosecutors told jurors the shooting was a calculated plan.

They argued McCandless and Chesser were followed from the Immokalee Seminole casino before being shot, pointing to cell phone data, surveillance video, and testimony from co-defendant Julian Wolf.

Wolf testified earlier in the trial that Toranzo opened fire on the couple’s truck.

Prosecutors said the evidence supports that account, including phone location data that they say matches Wolf’s movements the night of the shooting.

They also pointed to what they described as suspicious actions after the shooting, including claims that the van used in the attack was cleaned, that Gabay and Toranzo left the country days later, and that money was transferred out of Gabay’s business account.

The state also argued there was a clear motive, a bitter custody dispute between McCandless and Gabay, just days before McCandless was set to receive more time with their children.

Defense: Not enough evidence

Attorneys for Toranzo told jurors there is no direct evidence placing him at the scene.

They argued there was no DNA linking him to the van, no clear surveillance video, and no positive identification from McCandless, and they challenged the credibility of Wolf, the state’s key witness.

Toranzo’s defense also questioned the investigation, arguing that detectives failed to pursue additional video evidence and other leads.

Gabay’s attorney argued the state did not prove she knew about the shooting or helped plan it.

Her defense said evidence related to her travel and finances was taken out of context and does not show involvement in a crime.

What’s next

After both sides rested and delivered closing arguments, the judge instructed jurors on the law before sending them to deliberate.

A verdict could come at any time.

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