Closing arguments concluded Wednesday in the trial of Anthawn Ragan, who is facing the death penalty for a 2013 murder at a North Miami Motel 7. 

Jurors will begin deliberating Ragan's fate after receiving instructions at 9:45 a.m. Thursday.

Prosecutors with the State Attorney's Office are attempting to prove Ragan had the intent to kill Luis Perez at the motel and should be sentenced to death. However, the defense argued that the prosecution's basis for a first-degree murder charge isn't substantiated. 

Ragan opted not to testify.

Testimony related to three separate November 2013 crimes was presented during the trial, with investigators noting forensics proved the same gun was used in all three incidents.

"Pulling a trigger in a moment is not planned, and if it's not planned, it's not first degree, and that's the crux of the evidence you saw," defense lawyer Adam Goodman said.

Assistant State Attorney Arvind Singh countered, "Anthawn Ragan is ready and willing to kill Luis Perez all by himself."

Evidence ties Ragan to multiple shootings

On Tuesday, a firearms expert testified that shell casings found at multiple crime scenes matched the same 9-millimeter firearm used.

One of the key incidents discussed was the Hong Kong Nails shooting, where Ragan is accused of fatally shooting 10-year-old Aaron Vu and wounding his father, Hai Vu.

Surveillance footage from the attack showed Ragan and another suspect entering the nail salon with guns drawn, threatening customers and employees.

Authorities said the two stole $300 before Ragan allegedly opened fire, killing the young boy and injuring his father.

Hai Vu briefly took the stand Tuesday, providing testimony about the night his son was killed.

Prosecutors also called Kevin Burke, who was shot during a 2013 robbery, to testify against Ragan.

Burke told jurors he was riding his bike home when a car pulled up, and the occupants demanded money. When he refused and tried to flee, he was shot in the arm. He identified Ragan as the shooter.

Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler-Mendez also allowed evidence from Ragan's other alleged crimes to be introduced, saying it could help establish his identity in Perez's murder.

Judge denies defense motion to dismiss

The defense filed a motion asking for a mistrial, saying the evidence went beyond the statute of limitations.

Wednesday morning, before the jury was allowed to enter the courtroom, Tinker-Mendez denied that motion. 

Tinker-Mendez also denied a defense motion to dismiss a juror who gasped while watching evidence from the nail shop shooting. She called it a human reaction.

"I don't find at all that it rises to the level of something completely inappropriate or to such an extent that it prejudices Mr. Ragan,"  she said. 

The case is expected to go to the jury on Wednesday afternoon.

A separate trial for the murder of Aaron Vu and the attempted murder of Hai Vu has not yet been scheduled.