Florida Woman Found Guilty of Murdering Boyfriend

A Florida woman, Caylen Deller, 32, has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend Chad Mullen. The incident took place at her horse farm in San Mateo, Florida. Deller was found guilty and received a life sentence after a jury deliberated for over an hour.

Prosecutors revealed that Deller killed Mullen in September 2024 and attempted to conceal the crime. She solicited help from a friend and used a horse to move Mullen’s body, which was discovered in a shallow grave more than a month after his disappearance.

Deller also faced charges for tampering with evidence and failing to report Mullen’s death. Despite claiming self-defense, the jury convicted her based on the evidence presented.

Prosecutors asserted that Deller never contacted law enforcement following the incident. Instead, evidence showed she made 28 calls to Mullen between September 2 and September 9, 2024.

During the trial, Deller testified that Mullen attacked her in a violent confrontation over allegations of abuse against her daughter. She claimed Mullen choked her and threatened her with a hammer. Feeling threatened, she said she shot him twice in self-defense with a gun she had previously acquired after an alleged break-in by Mullen.

Deller explained that she feared police would not believe her account, which is why she failed to contact the authorities or inform Mullen’s family. Her fears were highlighted in her testimony, where she expressed concern about potential legal trouble rather than seeking immediate aid.

In closing arguments, prosecutors emphasized that Deller had options to avoid taking lethal measures. They argued that she should have contacted law enforcement if she genuinely feared for her safety. This lack of action contributed to the verdict leading to a life sentence for Deller.