Couey Gets Death Penalty For Lunsford Murder

[yogib37 3]

INVERNESS, Fla. -- A judge in Florida has agreed with a jury's recommendation and sentenced John Evander Couey to death for the kidnap, rape and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.

The jury recommended on a 10-2 vote that Couey be executed.

It's a crime that led to new laws in many states cracking down on convicted sex offenders.

After the sentencing, sheriff's deputies quickly hustled Couey out of the courtroom, where the girl's father and other relatives embraced.

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her. Her body was found about three weeks after she disappeared, in a grave in Couey's yard about 150 yards from her own home.

Couey's lawyers had argued that he couldn't legally be executed because he's mentally retarded, but the judge rejected that claim earlier this month.

The slain girl's father, Mark Lunsford, said his message for Couey is to "skip all these appeals" and "take your punishment."

The St. Petersburg Times reported earlier that the 49-year-old Couey told his aunt he expected to be sentenced to death.

The newspaper published excerpts from a jailhouse conversation that was recorded.

At one point in their talk, Couey expressed regret, telling his aunt, "I kick myself in the butt a hundred times a day," adding, "I just keep asking myself, why were you so stupid?"

He also told her he wants to be cremated.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://www.nbc5i.com/tu/5rl5W7jIG.html

Edited August 24, 2007 by yogib37

[peejay 327]

No surprises there.

#1 - Florida loves the death penalty as much as Texas.

#2 - The creep did it.

#3 - Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. What you sow is what you reap.

[archie07 0]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I am not a big supporter of the death penalty but guys like him make me question whether my opposition to the death penalty should be absolute. I sure won't cry a tear for this monster.

[GaryC 7]

I am not a big supporter of the death penalty but guys like him make me question whether my opposition to the death penalty should be absolute. I sure won't cry a tear for this monster.

Your right, some people do deserve the ultimate punishment. This guy is one of them.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her

Delightful.

[almaty 19]

that chopf##k...needs to die a 1000 deaths

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her

Delightful.

Where is the delight? Take a stand. I think a labotamy might be in order.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her

Delightful.

Where is the delight? Take a stand. I think a labotamy might be in order.

You have a stoneage grip on reading comprehension

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her

Delightful.

Where is the delight? Take a stand. I think a labotamy might be in order.

You have a stoneage grip on reading comprehension

To use the word delightful in a thread such as this is incomprehensible. Tell us what kind of punishment he should recieve.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her

Delightful.

Where is the delight? Take a stand. I think a labotamy might be in order.

You have a stoneage grip on reading comprehension

To use the word delightful in a thread such as this is incomprehensible. Tell us what kind of punishment he should recieve.

I guess so is irony

Speaking of stands, where's yours?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Couey buried the girl alive after kidnapping her from her bedroom and raping her

Delightful.

Where is the delight? Take a stand. I think a labotamy might be in order.

You have a stoneage grip on reading comprehension

To use the word delightful in a thread such as this is incomprehensible. Tell us what kind of punishment he should recieve.

I guess so is irony

Speaking of stands, where's yours?

Two guesses, the first one doesnt count. I think death might be involved.

[ladyspotthedog 0]

I must preface this with the fact that what happened to Jessica Lunsford is absolutely terrible however I am not sure the death penalty is the answer...for those of you that see past your red mist when first reading this...go on to read this please>>>>

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/11/State/Ea...et_Couey_.shtml

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm sure any psychologist could tell you that most abusers were themselves victims of abuse of some kind or other.

But still - once you commit a crime like this, is there really any coming back from that? That's a whole other level of psychosis.

[ladyspotthedog 0]

I'm sure any psychologist could tell you that most abusers were themselves victims of abuse of some kind or other.

But still - once you commit a crime like this, is there really any coming back from that? That's a whole other level of psychosis.

No there obviously is no "coming back from that" as you put it however, I still do not believe that the death penalty is the answer, just sweep it under the carpet so to speak? Doesn't help anyone, does it?