Couey Gets Death Sentence Starting More Death Penalty Debate

Judge Sentences John Couey to Death for the Jessica Lundsford Murder 2 Years Ago

Posted: 3:11 PM Aug 24, 2007

Last Updated: 8:52 PM Aug 24, 2007
Reporter: Mike Vasilinda

Just because a judge has sentenced someone to death, there is no guarantee that an execution will ever take place. The law requires a series of appeals and provides condemned inmates with an attorney. Even if an execution goes forward...it never happens quickly.

Anchor Tag: It is now taking an average 12 point 9 years from the time of sentencing to an execution, and that number is made lower because in the last few years, several have dropped their appeals… which has lowered the average time on death row.

It took just under ten years to execute Ted Bundy...and only because the state used every resource it had to force an early execution.

This week began with 381 people on Death Row....12 of them have been there since the 1970's.

When Gainesville killer Danny Rolling was convicted, state officials thought he could be executed in 5 years. It took almost 13.

Since Florida resumed executions in 1979, it has averaged just 2.3 a year.

Michael McCarron, a spokesman for Florida’s Catholic Conference argues that life in prison is a better alternative.

“There are some polls showing that a majority of Floridians, once they realize that we have the option of life in prison without parole, that they would prefer that option because of all the difficulties that are associated with carrying out the death penalty.”

But Governor Charlie Crist says it ever a case cried out for speedy justice, it is Jessica Lunsford’s Killer.

“I can’t think of a better example for the utilization of the death penalty than that individual. What a horrific, terrible, tragic crime it was.”

John Couey is 48, older than most going to death row. Which means he has just as much chance of dying from health problems as he does from lethal injection.

It is now taking an average 12 point 9 years from the time of sentencing to an execution, and that number is made lower because in the last few years, several have dropped their appeals… which has lowered the average time on death row.