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Man arrested in deadly Merritt Island burglary, deputies say

Cory Lyle, 49, faces 1st-degree felony murder charge

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A man was arrested, accused of a violent burglary at a Merritt Island home that killed a 64-year-old last week, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said on Saturday that deputies arrested Cory Lyle, 49, who is accused of shooting Joseph Hall during a burglary Thursday night.

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The sheriff’s office said deputies responded to the residence on Hunt Drive at approximately 9 p.m., after the man’s roommate returned home, found him and called law enforcement.

Spokesperson Tod Goodyear said Hall and Lyle knew each other.

“It’s believed that the victim had either loaned or let him use some property,” Goodyear said Monday.

Hall was pronounced dead shortly after deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators said Lyle shot Hall during the burglary.

‘’We heard what sounded like a gunshot,” neighbor Kim Jones recalled.

Jones said Hall was often seen hanging out in the garage of the house where his body was found.

A handyman at the house Monday used a hose to clean the garage.

“Anybody that came by to see him usually hung there too, as well,” Jones said. “It’s pretty sad.”

Lyle faces charges of first-degree felony murder, armed occupied burglary and grand theft of a firearm. He is being held on no bond at the Brevard County jail.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at 321-633-8413 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-8477 to remain anonymous.


About the Authors
Brenda Argueta headshot

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

James Sparvero headshot

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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