Carlie Brucia, 11, in an undated photo released by the Sarasota County Sheriff's office. Family friend Chessie Huber described Carlie as a beautiful girl who loved actress Jennifer Lopez, going to the mall and hanging out with her friends. The blond, blue-eyed youngster had a cat named Charlie and was known for greeting friends with warm hugs.
Joseph P. Smith, 37, has been charged with the abduction and murder of Carlie Brucia. Smith has been arrested at least 13 times in Florida since 1993, according to state records and convicted of drug possession and other charges. He was arrested in 1997 in Manatee County on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but was acquitted a year later.
Carlie Brucia, seen with presumed abductor in video from car wash surveillance camera.
At a news conference on the morning of Feb. 6, 2004, Sarasota County Sheriff William Balkwill makes the sad announcement: "The body of a beautiful girl, Carlie Brucia, has been found."
Joe Brucia, Carlie's father, cries during the news conference Feb 6, 2004, in Sarasota, Fla., where authorities announced the discovery of his daughter's body in an area behind a local church.
Joe Brucia and Sheriff Balkwill, right, walk away from the Feb. 6 news conference.
The 1992 Buick Century Station wagon owned by suspect Joseph Smith is seen in this photo released Feb. 4, 2004, by the Sarasota, Fla., County Sheriff's Office.
Family members and neighbors gather at the Central Church of Christ in Sarasota, Fla., where Carlie's body was found early Friday, Feb. 6, 2004.
Forensic investigators remove Carlie's body from a wooded area next to a church Friday morning, Feb 6, 2004, in Sarasota, Fla.
Tracy Bisel, right, receives a hug from an unidentified woman as they look at a makeshift memorial outside of Carlie Brucia's home in Sarasota, Fla., Friday, Feb. 6, 2004. Bisel lives next door. The body of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia was found behind the Central Church of Christ in East Sarasota County early Friday, a few miles from the car wash where a security camera recorded her being abducted Sunday.
Kristine Ford along with her son Bradon 3, place flowers and a bear at the car wash Feb 6, 2004, where Carlie Brucia was abducted in Sarasota, Fla.
The McIntosh Middle School sign displays a message Feb. 6, 2004, in Sarasota, Fla. Principal Bob Hagemann made an anouncement to students in the morning, and referred to Carlie Brucia as a "shining light." Carlie's body was found earlier that morning outside a church a few miles from the car wash where her abduction Sunday was filmed by a security camera.
Friends and well wishers place flowers outside the Brucia home Feb 6, 2004, in Sarasota, Fla.
Carlie's family attends a memorial service Feb. 10, 2004, at Central Church of Christ in Sarasota, Fla. Shown, from left, are stepfather Steven Kansler, mother Susan Schorpen, grandmother Eileen Schorpen, and uncle Kurt Schorpen.
Susan Schorpen, right, mother of Carlie Brucia, cries as her husband Steve Kansler, Carlie's stepfather, comforts her during a memorial service for the 11-year-old Feb. 10, 2004 outside the Central Church of Christ in Sarasota, Fla. Carlie's body was found behind the church.
Mourners pray for Carlie during the Feb. 10 memorial service, outside the Central Church of Christ. More than 1,000 people gathered to remember the 11-year-old girl who was abducted and slain last week.
Sarasota County Sheriff William Balkwill hugs Steven Kansler, Carlie's stepfather, at the Feb. 10 memorial service.
Destiny Marckmann, 8, pauses for a moment while writing a card to Carlie Brucia at the United Congregational Church of Christ in Bradenton, Fla., Feb. 10, 2004.
Joseph P. Smith, 39, left, with his attorney, Adam Tebrugge, before deliberations begin in his murder trial Nov. 17, 2005, in Sarasota, Fla. Jurors took five hours to convict him of murder, sexual battery and the kidnapping of Carlie Brucia, 11. On Dec. 1, jurors voted 10-2 in favor of the death penalty. A judge will have the final say.
Joseph Smith, the man caught on surveillance tape and convicted of the brutal kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, appears in court on March 15, 2006. He was sentenced to death by Florida Circuit Judge Andrew Owens.