Posted on 02/20/2004 6:14:25 PM PST by NautiNurse
A grand jury indicted Joseph P. Smith on first-degree murder, kidnapping and capital sexual battery charges today.
Smith, 37, is being held in the Manatee County Jail without bond in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia. A camera recorded Carlie being led away by a man in a uniform-like outfit and tattoos on his arms from a car wash in Sarasota Feb. 1. Her body was discovered near a church east of Interstate 75 on Feb. 6. Smith was arrested that same day as he sat in jail on a Feb. 3 probation violation and drug charges.
The State Attorney's Office indicated shortly after Smith was arrested that they would seek the death penalty, but officials from that office have not mentioned capital punishment since Feb. 6.
"The facts known to us at this time warrant seeking the death penalty," a Feb. 6 press release said.
I still, gotta say it, feel bad for my LDS friends who are getting wrongly reamed because of this guy's coincidently familiar name.
Makes me almost, but not quite, sympathetic for the plight of Adolph Higler.
MAYBE that's why I think these Florida judges are somehow in bed with drug traffickers and drugees. FOLLOW THE MONEY. The potential for kick-backs always exists, especially if Rapkin originated from a mobster laden part of the country and relocated to Florida. Why not? He acts like a Soprano IMO.
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.