Adam Soules sentenced to life in prison for murder of Fort Myers Beach librarian

Leroy Hommerding was a man with a passion for teaching and reading. On Friday, his family of got justice. His killer, Adam Soules, will spend the rest of his life in prison.

“I’m adjudicating you and sentencing you to life in prison,” said the judge during sentencing on Friday.

Just like that, Adam Soules fate was sealed. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of Dr. Leroy Hommerding in 2019.

Before the ruling, the state read a statement from Hummerding’s family “It is deep regret that none of us got to say goodbye, and I love you to our big brother.”

Soules walked into the courtroom Friday afternoon heavily restrained. He did not say much to the judge. “I was told by my attorney not to say anything else. I told you what I was going to tell you.”

The family’s statement came from Hommerding’s brothers, who said their brother belonged at the Fort Myers Beach library as he dedicated his life to teaching, starting from a young age.

“When Leroy was a teenager, he constructed a makeshift school room at our family home. He taught us what he was learning academically, and he spoke about his love for God,” read the state from the Hommerding’s family statement.

To Dr. Hommerding’s brothers, to know Leroy was to love him. “Leroy’s imprint on all of us lives forever. He inspired us through his life time love of learning. His zest for life and helping others and his gentle nature.”

The Hommerding brothers promise Leroy’s legacy will live on.

In addition to the life sentence, the judge ordered no communication between Soules and Hommerding’s family.