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borgslayer
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
Posts: 2646
Location: Las Vegas
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 Fri Mar 18, 2005 8:52 pm ......another sad day |
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Search under way for girl's body
Sheriff: 'I've got my man'
Friday, March 18, 2005 Posted: 8:17 PM EST (0117 GMT)
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, Florida (CNN) -- A search is under way in Homosassa Springs, Florida, for Jessica Lunsford's body after Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said a convicted sex offender police have been questioning confessed to abducting and killing her.
"John Couey admitted to abducting Jessica and subsequently taking her life," Dawsy told reporters Friday. "I've got my man."
Dawsy said Couey provided general information about where the body could be found, and he said the search could take hours.
Law enforcement sources told CNN that Couey said he buried the girl behind his sister's home.
Couey was staying at the property, which is located across the street from the Lunsford home, when the girl disappeared three weeks ago.
Jessica was last seen wearing a pink nightgown. Her grandmother had tucked her into bed the night of February 23. The next morning, the girl was missing.
Couey, 46, is registered as a sex offender in Citrus County but wasn't living at the address he had given authorities, sheriff's department spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan said.
The announcement came after authorities sealed off Couey's sister's home with yellow crime scene tape.
Dawsy said the girl's father, Mark Lunsford, and her mother, Angela Bryant, who lives in Ohio, have been notified.
"This is a very tough time, not only for me, it's a very tough time for the family," the sheriff said, his voice cracking.
Dawsy said that Couey confessed after taking a lie-detector test Friday.
"At the end of the polygraph, he says, 'You don't need to tell me the results. I already know what they are,' " Dawsy said.
Couey then asked for investigators to be sent back in and apologized "for wasting their time," the sheriff said.
Except for an unlocked front door, the Lunsford home was undisturbed, with no signs of a struggle. Jessica Lunsford lived with her father, Mark, and her grandparents.
The girl's father said he had never seen Couey before or heard his name. He had earlier told reporters he was not convinced that Couey was involved.
Couey was arrested on parole violation charges at a homeless shelter in Augusta, Georgia, Thursday and questioned in the Lunsford's disappearance, law enforcement sources said.
Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength described Couey as "cooperative."
"He was taken without incident. He did not try to hide who he was," the sheriff said. "He told us who he was. And we had no problem whatsoever with him."
A relative told detectives that Couey left Florida for Savannah, Georgia by bus four days later -- under an assumed name. There, he was interviewed by police at a shelter Saturday. But they had no jurisdiction to hold him, and Couey eventually made his way to Augusta, more than 100 miles away when he was arrested at a Salvation Army shelter.
Warrant issued after address change
Authorities said that Couey was among a number of sex offenders being considered after Lunsford went missing.
Under Florida law, a convicted sex offender must register his change of address. When police were unable to find Couey at the home where he was most recently registered, authorities determined he was living with relatives across from the Lunsford home.
Couey's record raised particular concern because his more than three-decade-long criminal history, spanning 24 arrests, including burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, larceny and drug charges.
Couey pleaded guilty to 1991 felony charges of sex offense against a child, fondling a child under 16, and lewd and lascivious conduct in Kissimmee, Florida. He was convicted of indecent exposure in 1987, according to records from the sheriff's office.
During a 1978 burglary for which he was convicted, Couey was accused of grabbing a girl in her bedroom, placing his hand over her mouth and kissing her, Dawsy said.
CNN's Susan Candiotti, Sara Dorsey, Patrick Oppmann, Richard Phillips and John Zarrella contributed to this report. http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/18/missing.girl/index.html
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:19 pm |
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| Quote: | By MIKE BRANOM
HOMOSASSA, Fla. (AP) - A registered sex offender has admitted kidnapping a 9-year-old Florida girl from her bedroom last month and killing her, authorities said Friday.
``I've got my man,'' Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy told a news conference.
Dawsy said John Evander Couey confessed to investigators after taking a lie-detector test. The sheriff said Jessica Lunsford's body had not been found, but Couey gave them a general area to search.
Authorities cordoned off an area Friday near the home of Couey's half-sister, who lived about 150 yards from the home Jessica shared with her father and grandparents. Investigators said Couey sometimes stayed at the home, but Jessica's father said he had never met him.
Couey, 46, had been named as a ``person of interest'' in the case but was not initially charged. He was arrested in Augusta, Ga., on Thursday on a probation violation for failing to notify officials that he was moving, a requirement for sex offenders.
Authorities said Couey left Florida on or about March 4, about a week after the girl's disappearance, after telling relatives that police would be looking for him.
Jessica, a third grader, was last seen when she went to bed Feb. 23 in the home where she lived with her father and grandparents. She was discovered missing the next morning, with an unlocked door and a missing stuffed animal serving as evidence of her disappearance.
Couey has an extensive criminal record that includes arrests for burglary, carrying a concealed weapon and indecent exposure. In 1991, he was arrested in Kissimmee on a charge of fondling a child under age 16. Records don't show how the case was resolved.
During a house burglary in 1978, Couey was accused of grabbing a girl in her bedroom, placing his hand over her mouth and kissing her, Dawsy said. Couey was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was paroled in 1980.
03/18/05 18:52
� Copyright The Associated Press
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*beep*.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:56 pm |
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I know, I've been following this story since it started. It's a horrifying, horrible tail.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Ziona
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 22 Aug 2001
Posts: 12821
Location: Michigan... for now
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:54 am |
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I never want children... I'd be afraid someone might do something stupid like kidnap them, rape them, and murder them -_-'
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robbiewebster
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
Posts: 2594
Location: Rochester, New York
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:24 am |
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Anyone who does anything like that to a child deserves chemical castration. 
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robbiewebster
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
Posts: 2594
Location: Rochester, New York
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:25 am |
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^actually thats just what they need. they deserve much worse. i don't know if anyone knows how they used to do it to cows...
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Birdy
Socialist
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 13502
Location: Here.
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:48 am |
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| Quote: | Police: Jessica's remains found
Sheriff says registered sex offender confessed he killed her
Saturday, March 19, 2005 Posted: 10:38 AM EST (1538 GMT)
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, Florida (CNN) -- Law enforcement officials announced Saturday that they have found the remains of missing 9-year-old Florida girl Jessica Lunsford.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said searchers recovered what they believe to be the remains of Jessica's body between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday.
John Evander Couey -- a 46-year-old convicted sex offender -- confessed to kidnapping and killing Jessica after a lie-detector test Friday, Sheriff Dawsy said.
According to police, Couey told them he buried the girl behind his sister's home.
Sheriff Dawsy said that's where Jessica's remains were found.
In announcing that development Saturday, Dawsy called Couey "a piece of trash" and said he wants to see him "get the death penalty."
Jessica has been missing for three weeks from her home in Homosassa, Florida.
Jessica's distraught father said earlier Saturday that his daughter is "home now," but made no reference to the discovery of her remains. |
I didn't put the whole story on; it was a bit too long. I took some pieces. If you want to read the whole story, click here.
I think this is just horrible. It's known that sex offenders mostly make the same mistake again. Why not lock him up for the rest of his life with treatment? He doesn't deserve to be outside of prison when he has already been convicted for a sex offence. I get so angry of this.  An innocent little child has to suffer because he can't control himself and the government can't control him, or doesn't have the right treatment/punisment for him. 
Just horrible.
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Nosce te ipsum
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borgslayer
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
Posts: 2646
Location: Las Vegas
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:33 pm |
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I am angry at this couey guy I would strangle him if I saw him. I hope he gets the death penalty if he doesn't then theres going to be a massive protest in store.
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 5:31 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | | I know, I've been following this story since it started. It's a horrifying, horrible tail. |
A horrible tale indeed. I have to wonder whats wrong with some people.
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Beta6
Commander
Joined: 02 Jan 2005
Posts: 475
Location: ~*City Of Angels*~
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| Sat Mar 19, 2005 11:42 pm |
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I don't think his crime is severe enough to get death, But I'm sure he will suffer in prison. Inmates have a certain "liking" for men who abuse children in anyway.
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voy416
Captain
Joined: 28 Oct 2001
Posts: 631
Location: Rock Bottom
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| Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:24 pm |
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well i would make him a girl in a really quick way . hmm some people are just crazy i do not know why people do stupid stuff
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To Be Are Not To Be......Is That Really The
Question
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borgslayer
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
Posts: 2646
Location: Las Vegas
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| Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:30 am |
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| Beta6 wrote: | | I don't think his crime is severe enough to get death, But I'm sure he will suffer in prison. Inmates have a certain "liking" for men who abuse children in anyway. |
He sexually assaulted an innocent girl and killed her. I think thats severe enough for death.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:35 am |
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| borgslayer wrote: | | Beta6 wrote: | | I don't think his crime is severe enough to get death, But I'm sure he will suffer in prison. Inmates have a certain "liking" for men who abuse children in anyway. |
He sexually assaulted an innocent girl and killed her. I think thats severe enough for death. |
Borgslayer, you are right. But really, I simply think that he deserves the Maximum Sentence, WHATEVER that may be. I prefer death, but if it wasn't death, he should get whatever the max punishment is.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Beta6
Commander
Joined: 02 Jan 2005
Posts: 475
Location: ~*City Of Angels*~
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| Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:10 am |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | | borgslayer wrote: | | Beta6 wrote: | | I don't think his crime is severe enough to get death, But I'm sure he will suffer in prison. Inmates have a certain "liking" for men who abuse children in anyway. |
He sexually assaulted an innocent girl and killed her. I think thats severe enough for death. |
Borgslayer, you are right. But really, I simply think that he deserves the Maximum Sentence, WHATEVER that may be. I prefer death, but if it wasn't death, he should get whatever the max punishment is. |
Don't get me wrong... it is sad, But I still don't feel he should get death. As I'm sure most of you know how i feel about lethal injection
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:58 pm |
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Since from your statments, one could discern you aren't totally against the death penalty, what crime would be severe enough?
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:10 pm Judge: Florida girl's killing 'beyond words' |
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| Quote: |
CNN.com
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Judge: Florida girl's killing 'beyond words'
Arraignment for John Couey set for April 11
LECANTO, Florida (CNN) -- John Evander Couey made his first appearance in court Tuesday on charges of murdering 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford, with the judge telling the 46-year-old his alleged crimes are "beyond words."
Couey, with his hands cuffed, appeared via video link before Citrus County Judge Mark Yerman, who was in Inverness, the county seat.
Couey was charged Monday with capital murder, burglary with battery, kidnapping and sexual battery on a child less than 12 years of age.
Authorities found Jessica's body Saturday, buried behind the home of Couey's half sister in Homosassa, north of Tampa.
Couey will be asked to enter a plea at his arraignment scheduled for April 11. The judge said Tuesday's court appearance was to advise Couey of the charges, advise him of his rights and inform him that bond was denied.
"This is an infamous case here," Yerman said. "The acts that you are accused of and apparently confessed to are really beyond words."
Yerman asked Couey if he needed a public defender.
"Yeah, I need one; yes, sir," Couey said.
Couey replied "No, sir," when asked if he had any income and any assets.
Couey -- a convicted sex offender with a 30-year criminal history -- is being held at the Citrus County jail, away from the general inmate population for his own safety.
"If we could just, for one day, use the electric chair, I would like that," Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford said. "Somebody needs to kill him."
Jessica Lunsford was asphyxiated, a medical examiner's report said Monday.
Mark Lunsford said there will be a private family funeral on Thursday, followed by another service on Friday for family and friends. He said a public memorial service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Crystal River.
Couey made a court appearance Sunday on two other charges -- failure to comply with sex-offender registration requirements and a probation violation.
Police say he has confessed to abducting, killing and burying Jessica.
"I don't believe everything he has told us," Citrus County Sheriff Jim Dawsy said Monday. "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.
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.
CNN's Sara Dorsey contributed to this report.
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