Jury considers case against Florida teen accused of murdering Britons Published on Thursday 29 March 2012 04:58 THE jury has retired in the case of a 17-year-old accused of shooting dead two British tourists in Florida last year. Shawn Tyson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder after allegedly trying to rob, then gunning down, James Kouzaris, 24, and James Cooper, 25, in Sarasota. After a night out in central Sarasota, the friends drunkenly walked into a public housing estate known as the Courts, in the early hours of 16 April. Tyson was charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder and, if convicted, faces life in jail without parole. The accused, who was 16 at the time of the alleged murders, has not given evidence in the case, which opened last Thursday. The defence called just one witness. After instructions from Judge Rick De Furia, the jury at Sarasota County Courthouse was sent out to start its deliberations. In closing arguments yesterday, prosecutor Ed Brodsky told the jury the case was about "seized opportunities." He said evidence would "conclusively prove" that Tyson was responsible for the murders. He said Tyson had exercised his right to a trial, but told the jury: "He has had his trial, it's time to now hold him accountable for the deaths of James Cooper and James Kouzaris." Public defender Carolyn Schlemmer said many witnesses gave evidence only in return for deals or benefits. She said: "That is what this case is all about - threats, deals, benefits, moving services, get-out-of-jail-free cards, rewards, offers for cash, bargains, elimination of prison sentences totally, and lies." She said: "Don't let the state try to tell you that a 16-year-old boy with a 9th grade education is some kind of criminal mastermind." Under Florida law, Tyson can be convicted of first-degree murder because Mr Kouzaris and Mr Cooper died while he was trying to rob them. The families of Mr Kouzaris, from Northampton, and Mr Cooper, fron Hampton Lucy, Warwick, have not been at the trial. The court has heard that Mr Kouzaris and Mr Cooper were confronted by Tyson, who tried to rob them, but then, told them: "Well, since you ain't got no money, I got something for your ass." Tyson then allegedly shot both men.