‘Jealous’ Ex Convicted Of Fatal Shooting In Sarasota: State Attorney

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A Sarasota County man was convicted of a 2022 fatal shooting that was spurred by jealousy, according to a news release from State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office.

Saladine Monroe was convicted of murder in the second degree and tampering with physical evidence after an April 2 jury trial at the Sarasota County Courthouse.

He faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. Sentencing will take place in June 2025.

• Also Read: Suspect Fatally Shot Man At Ex-Wife's Sarasota Home

On April 9, 2022, when the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting, deputies found the victim, James Tuten, with two gunshot wounds to his abdomen, Brodsky’s office said.

Investigators learned that Monroe went to his ex-wife’s house and “became angry and violent” when he found Tuten there, according to the state attorney. He confronted Tuten and pulled a gun from his waistband as his 14-year-old son and his ex-wife watched.

She grabbed her son and ran to a nearby bedroom, where they hid in a closet and called 911.

Monroe left with the murder weapon and drove to a family member’s home, where he confessed to the crime to his brother-in-law.

He remained at large for 24 hours, hiding his car, cell phone and the clothing he wore during the shooting, Brodsky’s office said. The murder weapon was never found.

“This was a case of uncontrolled rage and jealousy. The defendant, who is a convicted felon, admitted to his brother-in-law that he shot the victim because he felt ‘disrespected’ that another man had taken … his place in the home where he formerly lived with his ex-wife and children,” Karen Fraivillig, the lead prosecutor in the case, said.