THE DARK SIDE OF FLORIDA
Mikael Cuyler
#X11888
photo courtesy FDC
Full Name: Mikael Todd Cuyler
Date of birth: July 10, 1979
Conviction: 1st-degree murder
County: Orange
City: Orlando
Current Location: Columbia Correctional Institution
Partner in crime: Jason Allen
Date of Crime: July 25, 1997
Tentative discharge date: Life
Victim(s): Sam Kassaye
Date of birth: July 10, 1979
Conviction: 1st-degree murder
County: Orange
City: Orlando
Current Location: Columbia Correctional Institution
Partner in crime: Jason Allen
Date of Crime: July 25, 1997
Tentative discharge date: Life
Victim(s): Sam Kassaye
Two Orlando teenagers were convicted of killing a popular neighborhood grocer during an armed robbery on July 25, 1997. Mikael Cuyler and Jason Allen were convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the death of Sam Kassaye, 32. Sam was shot in the chest when he walked towards the robbers as they forced his wife to open cash registers. The teens netted about $1,500 when they robbed West Columbia Discount Grocery.
The tragedy devastated Sam’s family and outraged the Washington Shores community where Sam, a native of Ethiopia, was known for his generosity towards needy customers. Tesfai Kassaye, 27, took over running the store so his brother’s dream of American success would not die. “I try to do everything he used to do,” Tesfai said.
The tragedy devastated Sam’s family and outraged the Washington Shores community where Sam, a native of Ethiopia, was known for his generosity towards needy customers. Tesfai Kassaye, 27, took over running the store so his brother’s dream of American success would not die. “I try to do everything he used to do,” Tesfai said.
Source: Orlando Sentinel