James Curtis
•7/9/2026
A Lehigh Acres man was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to prison on Wednesday for second-degree murder that happened in October 2024 in Fort Myers.
According to the State Attorney's Office, Robert Lawrence was sentenced as a habitual felony offender to 30 years in prison for murder, followed by three years of probation, and five years in prison for possession of cocaine. In addition, he was credited with time served for possession of paraphernalia.
Lawrence was driving on Colonial Boulevard with the victim, Jerry Adam Jr., in his SUV on Oct. 27. The release states Lawrence crashed and Adam got out and ran as Lawrence chased him. Lawrence eventually caught up to Adam, pulled his shorts off and grabbed his phone.
Witnesses said Adam was bleeding when he got out of the SUV.
Emergency crews and the Fort Myers Police Department responded. Officers investigated and determined Adam had been stabbed. He died at the scene.
Lawrence fled the scene, but he was arrested later. The SUV involved in the crash was found hidden at his home on Williams Avenue under a tarp.
The police said at the time that they found the SUV covered in a camouflaged tarp, palm fronds and additional plant matter.
