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.
I wouldn't be able to. It'd be like that father in the airport a few years ago who shot the pervert who had molested his son.
Does Florida still use the electric chair? I hope so. It is an ugly way to die.
I would be shooting across the street at the sister that boarded the molester.
He was there, taking them into His arms. It wasn't God's fault, and I don't believe it was God's WILL that the innocent people died on 9/11. In the same vein, I don't think it was God's Will that little Jessica be murdered. It was the free will of the murderer, God was there accept her soul, and on 9/11, the souls of those who were the victims of the sinful choices of the hijackers.
It is up to US to take these tragedies and try to use them for good. In my opinion, what's happening in the Middle East right now is a direct result of the attacks on 9/11, which were the catalyst for long needed change. Maybe this tragedy with Jessica will start long needed change on the way criminals are turned out into the street and let loose on society.
I wish we had chemical castration before the electric chair.
Maybe 'cause they're gonna put him in with the lockup's general population? He'd need some luck to keep breathin' more'n an hour.
wish we had chemical castration before the electric chair.
Na, ACTUAL Castration hurts more.
And if that is true, where were those other 3 people during that time.
Sheriff: Evidence points to sex abuse
Jessica Lunsford's father tells suspect: 'I hope you rot in hell'
Monday, March 21, 2005 Posted: 8:23 AM EST (1323 GMT)
HOMOSASSA, Florida (CNN) -- Jessica Marie Lunsford, the 9-year-old Florida girl whose body was found Saturday near her parents' home, was kidnapped from her bedroom, and there is evidence from a medical examiner that she was sexually assaulted, the Citrus County sheriff said Sunday night.
The girl's body was taken to Leesburg, Florida, for autopsy, authorities said.
"There was no forced entry. The residence was unsecured," Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said of the home where Jessica lived with her grandparents and father.
The girl, who was discovered missing by her father February 24, may have been held captive for more than a day, possibly two, investigators said.
"We don't really have a timeline," Dawsy said.
Because the suspect -- a convicted sex offender -- was "drug-hazed," the sequence of events is murky, the sheriff said.
The suspect, John Evander Couey, made his first court appearance in Citrus County Sunday morning, telling a magistrate judge that he understood his rights and the charges he faces.
The only connection to the Lord's ways here is the free will that He gave us.
I would think the Lord would be shaking his head tearfully when surveying our ways!
We have constructed ourselves a spineless, irresolute, hedonistic, materialistic society lacking any semblance of common sense much less possesion of a moral compass.
God help us, indeed.
A very slow castration. One that takes days while the perp is in bondage.
You are so right steel_resolve. I wondered when I saw the picture of that and read the article or caption if the Iranians were trying to tell or show us something.
JOHN EVANDER COUEY Born September 19, 1958 5 feet 4 inches, 125 pounds Blue eyes, gray hair Criminal history: Outstanding warrant for violation of probation charge stemming from a 2004 arrest for possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Arrested multiple times on various charges, including burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly intoxication, driving under the influence, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, fraud, insufficient funds and larceny.
Arrested in 1991 on charges of a sex offense, fondling a child under the age of 16. Registered sexual offender in Citrus County. Has absconded more than once. Driver's license suspended for 99 years.
Source: Citrus County Sheriff's Office
http://www.publicrecordfinder.com/sexoffenders.html
I am begging God for blessings for the Lunsford family - and at the same time shouting at him - WHY? I know - deep inside I know that it is evil (the devil, whoever one calls the spirit of darkness) that does these things. But my small, human mind has such difficulty finding peace with my own religious beliefs at times like these when such innocents have suffered.
I try to imagine the height in heaven to which Jessica has ascended. Obviously she was a child of great light - perhaps now she can shine more brightly and glide on angel's wings as she helps subdue evil in this world.
Her father is taking up a new cause - to find a way to help prevent such incidents from ever happening again. I am sure Jessica is guiding him. Their hearts and souls are one now.
I agree that they need to be locked up for good, and/or death sentence. I only suggested what I had heard on t.v. (GPS tracking), in light of the fact that our system DOES NOT lock them up for good in a cell, or a grave. Can the system be changed? I certainly hope so, and it's about time! :)
"I just can't understand how in the world he was able to get into the house, find her room, and remove her from the house without anyone hearing anything. And he did this high on drugs?"
According to news reports, and also last night on Geraldo, the grandma is sure she locked the doors but believes that perhaps she didn't pull the door closed tightly. I've done that before, lock a door, and with some doors if you don't pull it tightly enough, the lock doesn't latch completely. Also, the grandparents were elderly and sleeping so soundly they did not hear anything. Haven't heard about the dog, if there was one.
The police believe that since this guy lived right near them, he had probably been plotting and planning his crime. He knew when the lights went off, he knew when daddy was gone, he knew plenty.
And yes, according to reports this guy is a "crackhead", and was high on drugs. That is also most likely the reason that this criminal looks more like he's in the 70's than the 40's.
I am constantly reminding my wife to keep the doors on her car locked...you can be car-jacked in the blink of an eye, and there are PLENTY of preverts running loose in this country (thank you, death-cult liberals) looking to take advantage of the opportunity. As for the house? ALL doors and windows are always locked. Break in, and you can deal with Mr. Remington or Mr. Mossberg.
What in the HELL is it with these stupid Floriduh judges? "How are you doing, dear Mr. Couey?" "Good luck, you poor victim of society!"
Well, my retirement plans have changed! I have no intention of becoming a citizen of the State of Floriduh. In fact, I need to re-think my vacation plans, because I don't want to accidentally get in front of one of these kooks by way of auto accident or something....
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