Capital charge likely in Florida girl's killing
Sheriff says charges expected soon
Monday, March 21, 2005
INVERNESS, Florida (CNN) -- The suspect in the kidnapping, slaying and possible sexual assault of a 9-year-old Florida girl could be charged as early as Monday, authorities said.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said that investigators are meeting with state attorneys later Monday and that suspect John Evander Couey would see an array of charges related to the case. "One of them is capital murder, and we [the state] will seek the death penalty for this individual," Dawsy said."
If charged Monday, Couey, 46, a sex offender with a long criminal history, would be arraigned Tuesday, Dawsy said.
Authorities found Jessica Marie Lunsford's body about 4 a.m. Saturday buried behind the home of Couey's half sister in Homosassa, north of Tampa. That residence is within eyesight of Jessica's house. Officials took the child's body to Leesburg for an autopsy, and Dawsy said there is evidence that someone sexually assaulted the child.
Couey made his first court appearance in Citrus County on Sunday, telling a magistrate judge that he understood his rights and the charges he faces. Judge Stephen Spivey set bond at $905 on a probation violation charge but said there would be no bond on a second charge of failure to comply with sex-offender registration requirements.
Couey allegedly confessed to abducting, killing and burying Jessica.
"I believe some of it," Dawsy said. "I don't believe everything he has told us. I think he was in a drug-induced haze for a portion of the time. We may never have a true timeline," he said. "There were two people that knew -- Jessica, who's gone, and this individual Couey, and because of his state with drugs, he was all over the place."
The sheriff and other sources said the suspect entered the house during the night of February 23, made his way to Jessica's room, covered her mouth, ordered her to remain quiet and forced her to leave. "There was no forced entry. The residence was unsecured," Dawsy said of the home where Jessica lived with her grandparents and father.
Couey may have held her captive for a day or two, investigators said.
Investigators awaited results of a test on evidence from the home where Couey was staying, and officials have informed the girl's family about the details surrounding Jessica's death. "Actually, it was a relief because I don't have to wonder," said Mark Lunsford, Jessica's father.
He said he is spearheading an effort to change the law to keep repeat sexual offenders incarcerated. "There should be a law for Jesse," Lunsford said.
He also had words for the suspect: "I hope you rot in hell, and I hope you get the death penalty, and I hope you can find it somewhere in you to be a man and stand up and take your punishment."
CNN's Susan Candiotti and Paul Courson contributed to this report.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/21/lu...ase/index.html