A woman convicted in a 2022 Tamarac homicide has received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, prosecutors confirmed.
The sentence was handed down Monday against 31-year-old Sakiyna Thompson, who a jury found guilty of first-degree murder in October for the July 2022 killing of 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson after a swift one-hour deliberation.
The fatal attack occurred on July 13, 2022, at Hodgson’s apartment in Tamarac, where investigators say Thompson confronted the victim in what prosecutors argued was a pre-planned act of jealousy, prompted by Hodgson’s relationship with Thompson’s ex-boyfriend. Prosecutors told the court that Thompson flew from New York to South Florida days before the murder with the explicit intention to kill Hodgson.
Records and reports listed Thompson as a native of Jamaica.
During the trial, jurors heard four hours of closing arguments that focused on whether the killing was premeditated or an act of self-defense. Thompson took the stand in her own defense and conceded that she killed Hodgson, but maintained the act was in self-defense, stating that Hodgson allegedly “took the glass from the hookah and slashed me across the stomach.”
In court, an exchange between a prosecutor and Thompson captured part of her claim:
“You didn’t kill her because she was fighting you?”
“No,” Thompson responded. “I killed her because she took the glass from the hookah and slashed me across the stomach.”
According to a local NBC affiliate courtroom report by WTVJ, during the legal proceedings, jurors also heard Thompson claim she “blacked out” during the attack. The next memory, she said, was holding the murder weapon and seeing Hodgson on the floor with blood around her.
Prosecutors reportedly said Hodgson sustained dozens of stab wounds. Authorities noted that Thompson did not call 911, citing fear, and returned to New York after the killing. She was arrested on August 3, 2022, extradited back to Florida, and charged with first-degree murder.
Thompson was pregnant at the time of the homicide and told jurors she acted to protect herself and her unborn child. Defense lawyers argued the altercation began with Hodgson allegedly striking Thompson over the head and causing injuries. However, prosecutors countered that Thompson attempted to mask her identity using a hat, COVID-19 face covering, and a fraudulent ride-share profile. Officials said she used a fake Uber account to travel to and from her hotel near the crime scene.
Emotional testimony from Hodgson’s loved ones filled the courtroom Monday, with at least ten family members and friends addressing the judge prior to sentencing.
Hodgson’s relatives, many dressed in “Justice For Kayla” T-shirts bearing her photo, described her as a “fashionista” with “a loving personality who was willing to help anyone in need.” Some accused Thompson of showing no remorse during the three-year legal process, claiming she “taunted” the family in court with prolonged stares.
One relative’s testimony included direct courtroom statements:
“What gave you the right to come to her home and do this to her?” Hodgson’s cousin said. “Waste taxpayer dollars and tell them a crock of garbage to everyone about your blackout reasoning.”
The final decision came from the bench, where the judge described the killing as “heinous,” noting that Thompson “tracked down, showed up and killed” the victim at her home.
Hodgson’s family had also set up a digital fundraiser through GoFundMe following her death. According to the fundraiser page, the family recalled that:
“Kayla meant so much to so many people — she was an amazing daughter, a very loved and adored big sister, niece, granddaughter and cousin, whose bond was like no other.”
“Everyone loved her tremendously and she was a friend to all.”
The campaign, launched in 2022, remained active with messages of financial support and grief solidarity from the community.
