JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man charged with second-degree murder for killing two women was sentenced to 70 years in prison with a four-year credit for time served.
Last month, Zebulon Perkins pleaded guilty to killing Leah Kline and Vivian James.
Before the judge’s ruling, Perkins gave a rambling statement that did not include any apologies.
James was a beloved science teacher at Atlantic Coast High School, where there’s a memorial to honor her.
Perkins killed James the day after he killed Kline.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Perkins was with Kline at a motel on the Westside on Christmas Day in 2019. They got into an argument and investigators said Perkins strangled her and threw her body into a dumpster.
She was a mother of four.
Police said the next day, Perkins went to James’ house for advice.
Prosecutors said James told Perkins to turn himself in to police and that’s when Perkins beat and strangled her.
A friend found her body inside the house two days later. Police found Perkins with James’ car at a motel on 103rd Street, where he was arrested.
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Investigators said they watched Perkins put items into a car and watched him throw other items into a dumpster.
Also inside the car, they found:
- James’ camera
- Three laptops
- Her cell phone and credit cards
- A pair of bloody sweatpants
In the dumpster, they found:
- James ID
- Pill bottles with her name on them
- Her headphones
Police also found two of James’ TVs and a computer monitor at Perkins’ mother’s house
Both James’ and Kline’s family agreed to Perkin’s plea deal.
Kline’s family was not present but James’ family was.