HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – Orlando May, 19, was found guilty of capital murder in connection to the death of Southern Miss football player MJ Daniels.

On June 19, the jury found May guilty of capital murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and vehicle theft. He was sentenced to life without parole for capital murder, 20 years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and 10 years for the vehicle theft. The sentences will run concurrently.

“When the verdict was read, I heard that basically he won’t get to walk free anymore. But it still doesn’t compare to MJ not being able to be here. So, it was… it was hurtful, but I was happy at the same time to hear the verdict,” said Adrian Jackson, Daniels’ mother.

During the trial, Samir Green and Nytavion Shaw testified that they helped steal a white Acura the night of the shooting in 2024.

Green and Shaw said they spotted Daniels sleeping inside his black Dodge Challenger at Ivy Row Apartments and planned to steal the vehicle. According to Shaw, May said he would shoot if Daniels moved. Green said Allen Gardner fired first, and May fired through the back window, killing Daniels.

Gardner and Green pled guilty to first-degree murder in February 2025, and Shaw pled guilty to second-degree murder in October 2024.