Somer Thompson's family calls Fla. girl's killer a "monster"

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jarred Harrell (AP/Clay County Sheriff Office)

(CBS/AP) GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. - The family of slain 7-year-old Florida girl Somer Thompson confronted her murderer Jarred Harrell, calling him a "monster," shortly before he was sentenced to life in prison on Friday.

Pictures: Somer Thompson

Harrell pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder, kidnapping, sexual battery, possession of child pornography and other sex charges.

Somer's mother, brother, aunts and grandparents were visibly angry and grieving as they gathered in the crowded courtroom wearing shades of purple, the little girl's favorite color. The judge allowed them to address Harrell during the sentencing.

"It is now time to take out the trash, may God have mercy on your sorry soul," Somer's mother Diena Thompson told Harrell.

Other relatives repeatedly called Harrell a "monster."

"You are going to die in prison," the judge told Harrell.

Somer disappeared Oct. 19, 2009, while walking home from Grove Park Elementary School. She was with her sister and some friends, but ran ahead of them after they had a spat. Two days later, she was discovered in a Georgia landfill.

Harrell lived with his parents on a street Somer took to get home from school. Police said she was lured into the home and later asphyxiated and tossed into a trash bin.

Complete coverage of the Somer Thompson case on Crimesider

Pictures: Somer Thompson

6 Comments +

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by Jenna1955 February 4, 2012 1:26 PM EST: I am totally for the death penalty for murderers! If you take a life, you should give up yours!! No plea bargins or appeals!!; Reply to this comment


by angelofurnightmare February 4, 2012 10:19 AM EST: Its sad that this monster will get to live and breathe another day when that baby is dead...and suffered god knows what at his hands!I hope he dies in jail...at the hands of others in a way worse than she did; Reply to this comment


by Connolly7 February 3, 2012 4:17 PM EST: Justice can only be served by turning this disease over to the family. Execution by blood relatives is a right and just sentence.

They should be allowed to use any method they please and take up to 7 days to complete it.

Why spend decades to feed, clothe, house and provide medical benefits for him? Why make the family go through more despair by the knowledge that he is alive, well and lifting weights or watching TV or reading magazines? Heck, he even has the right to get married while in prison.

Justice is that which will relieve the pain of the family.; Reply to this comment

by DavidAxelrod February 3, 2012 3:14 PM EST

Execute him.............. NOW !!!!

I do NOT want my tax money being spent to keep this POS alive in prison for the next 60 years !!!!!

Reply to this comment


by oldabner February 3, 2012 8:27 PM EST: Duh, execute him - real intelligent comment. It's too late to execute the scumbag now. The plea bargain was entered and accepted.


by VA_Jill February 4, 2012 10:49 AM EST: Your tax money would be used for all the mandatory appeals anyway, and he wouldn't be executed for another 15-20 years. That's the way it is. And life imprisonment is LESS expensive than that.

Of course, they could just "accidentally" let him out in the general population.......