Photos | Timeline | Comment | Key Players | Podcast | Can You Be The Jury? | Special Report | The Jury

“Jessie’s Name Will Live On Forever”

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Anthony McCartney

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 05:16 PM

6:11 p.m.

Some of the key players are speaking to reporters outside the courthouse where a jury just recommended death for John Evander Couey.

Sheriff Jeff Dawsy, who oversaw the investigation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office into Jessica Marie Lunsford’s disappearance and death, spoke first.

“We all wanted Jessie to come home alive,” Dawsy said. “It didn’t happen.

“But Jessie’s name will live on forever and ever.”

He said the 10-2 vote for death for Couey represented a “true mandate.”

He said this is one of the most memorable cases he’s ever worked.

Part of that, he said, is because Jessie became so important to everyone involved.

“Jessie became our child,” Dawsy said.

He urged people to hug their children and cherish them.

“There [are] other John Coueys out there in America,” he said.

---

Couey Is Alone

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Anthony McCartney

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 04:52 PM

5:44 p.m.

John Couey is alone.

The jury has left to decide whether any of them want to talk to reporters about their experiences. His remaining attorneys tapped him on the back, seemed to offer him some words of consolation. They then left out the front door.

In a moment worthy of a comedy, two minutes later, both defense attorneys walked back in.

“Sorry Judge,” Alan Fanter said.

They rejoined Couey.

When they came back, Howard gaveled the case adjourned.

Quickly, again, the attorneys are gone.

Their work isn’t quite over yet. The jury’s decision is a recommendation, and the court will reconvene on March 22 for another hearing.

There will be some post-trial statements, which I will bring to you once they happen.

---

Couey Fidgets As Jurors Agree With Verdict

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Anthony McCartney

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 04:40 PM

5:36 p.m.

One by one, the jurors are asked if they agree that the verdict just read in court is accurate.

John Couey looks down as they each tell the judge they agree with what has just been read.

He fidgets and plays with his hands. He looks up at the judge briefly, then continues to stare downward.

He takes a deep breath and licks his lips.

Judge Ric Howard thanks the jurors before releasing them.

The jurors listen to Howard. One young woman looks at him, but he’s still looking down.

---

10 to 2 For Death

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Anthony McCartney

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 04:36 PM

5:33 p.m.

The foreman hands the jury’s recommendation to a bailiff, who then passes it up to Judge Ric Howard.

Most of the jurors look straight ahead.

A clerk begins to read the jury’s decision.

By a vote of 10 to 2, the jury recommends that John Couey die for killing Jessica Marie Lunsford.

---

Death for Couey

Posted Mar 14, 2007 by Anthony McCartney

Updated Mar 14, 2007 at 05:03 PM

By a vote of 10 to 2, a jury has recommended John Evander Couey be put to death.

---