Posted on 03/20/2005 7:36:50 PM PST by TexKat
HOMOSASSA, Fla. - A convicted sex offender entered Jessica Lunsford's house through an unlocked door, snatched the 9-year-old girl from her bed and later sexually assaulted her, authorities said Sunday.
Medical examiners confirmed the sexual assault by examining her body. But because suspect John Evander Couey was under the influence of drugs, detectives might never know how long she was held before she was slain, Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said.
The sheriff released new details of the attack on the same day Couey was returned to Florida in shackles. He was booked early Sunday on a probation violation and failure to register as a sex offender. He was being held without bail.
Couey, 46, confessed to kidnapping and killing Jessica after taking a lie-detector test Friday in Georgia, officials said. The girl's body was found early Saturday, more than three weeks after she vanished from her bedroom.
Jessica's father, in an emotional statement, expressed a desire to mete out justice of his own.
"I won't get the wish, but I wish I could see him, just one time," said Mark Lunsford, his eyes hidden by dark sunglasses.
Lunsford said he and his relatives would soon begin planning Jessica's funeral.
Couey had not been charged in her death, although that was expected soon.
"If he's not charged today, he probably will be tomorrow," sheriff's spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan told The Associated Press. "It shouldn't take that long."
At Jessica's church on Sunday, the pastor asked for prayers for the Lunsfords.
"Lord, we don't always understand your ways," the Rev. William LaVerle Coats told 175 grieving people during services at Faith Baptist Church, where many people saw the girl for the last time on the night she disappeared. "We accept what has taken place here, and ask that you would give us some peace."
Coats asked churchgoers to forgive Couey. Jessica's father said he may have a hard time with that request. "He needs to stand up and be a man now and take his death penalty," Mark Lunsford said.
Earlier, Couey appeared before Circuit Judge Stephen Spivey at the Citrus County Detention Center. He was declared indigent and was told a public defender would be assigned to his case.
He answered that he was doing "all right," when the judge asked how he was. Couey answered all other questions with either "Yes, sir" or "No, sir" replies.
At the end of the hearing, Spivey wished the man luck. "Thank you," Couey said softly, before turning and shuffling away, his shackles clanging together.
Couey was returned to Florida in an unmarked sheriff's vehicle, wearing a bulletproof vest and under the cloak of darkness.
He was being held in isolation at the jail for his safety, Hemminger Evan said. As a precaution, the timing of his arrival from Georgia was kept secret, although the sheriff's office was not aware of any threats against Couey.
Down the street from the Lunsford home and the church, well-wishers piled dozens of stuffed animals, flowers and candles high on a makeshift memorial. "God's newest little angel," one sign read.
Jessica, a third grader, was last seen in February when she went to bed after attending church. She was discovered missing the next morning.
Her body was found near a mobile home where Couey had been staying at the time of the abduction about 150 yards from Jessica's house.
Couey's half-sister and two others who lived in the home were charged with obstructing police for failing to notify authorities when Couey allegedly told them he had committed a crime.
Details Revealed of Florida Girl's Attack ping.
She's in God's care now. Please, dear Lord, may the bastard not linger on death row for decades.
Poor little girl. She reminds me of my daughter when she was that age. I hope that justice in this case will be swift and severe.
(I will do it for you)
Comments removed by Moderator
What a precious child. She is the same age as my oldest grandson. God rest her little soul.
Does Florida have the death penalty?
She reminds us of all our little girls at 8-9 years old.
Thank you for posting this. People need to be reminded again and maybe this time they will come together to do what needs to be done to prevent this tragedy from being repeated yet again and again. I think these criminals need to be kept track of every minute of every day. I heard one person on t.v. suggest GPS tracking. Jessica's family needs our continued prayers. :(
What is this judge doing wishing this subhuman "luck?"
What exactly does this person need "luck" for, anyway?
Yes. And Sheriff Dawsey said he will ask for that.
That guy's only 46? Man, he looks at least twenty years older.
Piffle.
No. No one can accept this. Until justice is meted out, rage into the night. A foul and terrible murder has happened. Pray for the souls of both the victim, the family and the perp, but JUSTICE requires more.
This is so profoundly sad. If it is accurate that once a pedophile, always a pedophile, this child's death is on all of in a society that allows a second chance to such a person.
We have to protect our children, whatever it takes.
Oh give it a rest. Save it for the 9/11 victims, and the infants aboard the planes. Ask God where he was when the flight stewardess and pilot had their throats slit.
A child-molester/murderer apparently needs a lot of luck when put into prison.
She's the same age as my oldest grandaughter----I don't think I could survive something like this.
Ditto.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.