Second-degree attempted murder judgment could get him seven years. By Suzie Schottelkotte The Ledger
BARTOW -- A 14-year-old Winter Haven boy faces seven years in juvenile custody after a Polk Circuit judge convicted him this week of attempted second-degree murder.
George Varsianna, a student at the Exceptional Student Education Countywide School in Lake Alfred, told police that he shot Isaiah McGriff, 14, because he couldn't take any more bullying.
McGriff was shot once in the stomach with a .22-caliber handgun outside his Winter Haven home Jan. 27. He was hospitalized for two days following the shooting, and the bullet remains lodged in his right side.
After the verdict Tuesday, McGriff's mother, Tammy, said she had sympathy for everyone involved.
"I'm sad for everybody and for everything that's going on," she said. "I feel bad for my son and for what George is going through. I've known him since he was a little baby, and I know his family. I told them I don't have nothing against them, and I have nothing against George. It's sad that he's young, and he's got to do the time like that."
Varsianna's mother could not be reached for comment.
Winter Haven police initially arrested Varsianna for attempted first-degree murder, but the State Attorney's Office reduced the charge before taking the case to trial. On Tuesday, Varsianna also was convicted of carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a concealed firearm by an adjudicated delinquent.
Polk Circuit Judge Charles B. Curry will sentence Varsianna on March 17. He could be held in custody until he's 21.
After the shooting, McGriff's mother said the boys had been friends and used to play together. Then her son began hanging out with a group of neighborhood boys. She said Varsianna and his grandfather had threatened her son repeatedly and alleged that he was the aggressor in the relationship.
But a neighbor, Katherine Owens, said she once saw McGriff threaten to hit Varsianna with a bat.
McGriff said Wednesday she's relieved the trial is over.
"I am glad it's over with," she said. "This has kept everything all stirred up, and everybody's been putting their two cents in. I'm just relieved that it's over."
Suzie Schottelkotte can be reached at suzbiz@yahoo.com or 863-533-9070.
