Child Rapist Dies Awaiting Execution

(CBS/AP)  John Evander Couey, a convicted sex offender awaiting execution for kidnapping, raping and burying 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford alive in 2005, died of natural causes Wednesday.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger says Couey of natural causes Wednesday at a Jacksonville hospital. The 51-year-old had been sentenced to death in 2007.

"It was not a surprise," she said.

Plessinger declined to provide any specifics, citing a federal law protecting the privacy of hospital patients.

Jessica's grandmother, Ruth Lunsford, 77, said in a telephone interview that she couldn't feel bad about Couey's death.

"He murdered my granddaughter. He didn't show any mercy to my granddaughter," she said. "God took control of it. He took him out of this world. ... I'm not crying, honey. If my legs and feet would hold up, I'd go out and shout all over Citrus County."

The crime prompted many states to pass laws named for Jessica that impose restrictions on sex offenders, including tougher penalties and registration requirements. Florida's version also bans them and others convicted of serious crimes from school grounds.

Couey died just over a month before the Florida Supreme Court was scheduled to hear his automatic appeal. He had an IQ of 78, slightly above the level generally considered mentally disabled, but the judge rejected an argument by his lawyer that he couldn't legally be executed.

The jury that convicted Couey in March recommended 10-2 that he die for his crimes, though the ultimate decision was left to the judge.

Couey, already a convicted sex offender when he committed the crime, was arrested in Georgia and confessed to the killing. That confession was thrown out as evidence because Couey did not have a lawyer present.

Couey spent much of his 2007 trial, which was moved to Miami because of publicity about the case, drawing in coloring books. He looked straight ahead as Circuit Judge Ric Howard told him he should be executed.

Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, teared up then as he listened to the judge read a detailed history of the case. Outside court, he had a message for Couey: "Skip all these appeals. Take your punishment. Stand up and be a man."

Couey took Jessica from her bedroom to his nearby trailer in February 2005, triggering a massive search. The third-grader's body was found about three weeks later in a grave in Couey's yard, only about 150 yards from her home.

Couey's confession was thrown out as evidence because he did not have a lawyer present. Jail guards and investigators testified he repeatedly admitted details of the slaying but said he hadn't meant to kill the girl.

Prosecutors also introduced overwhelming physical evidence, including fingerprints and DNA.

Jessica's body was found wrapped in two garbage bags under a foot of dirt.

Couey previously had been convicted of exposing himself to a 5-year-old girl in 1991. His criminal record also included 24 burglary arrests and carrying a concealed weapon.

[MPHgrad]

I hope it was a painful, agonizing, long, and excruciating death. Still, that is not sufficient for this pile of dung.

[DaVicar8]

What ever happed to, "as we forgive those who tresspass against us"???

[AttentionDeficit]

"What ever happed to, "as we forgive those who tresspass against us"???"

It is an unrealistic standard.

[CBSTV]

Many of these posts confirm that America is a culture of death.

[SocietysNightmare]

by CBSTV September 30, 2009 11:15 PM EDT
Many of these posts confirm that America is a culture of death.

Amen to that! Cain killed his brother Abel and GOD himself didn't execute Cain for it. Now man knows better than GOD? KILLING is either always right or always wrong. There is no middle ground or grey area open to interpretation.

[albo58]

Justice was not served with the painless demise of this animal! He should have been slow-roasted over a pit!

[brianbwb-2009]

Justice was indeed served, the person was caught, processed, and upon being found guilty, convicted.

That is as far as the law goes in America, anything else is nothing but sadism masquerading as revenge, which makes you just as depraved as the convicted.

[jwesel1]

World is a lot safer place now that another neocon crusader is gone.

[kansas1946]

Good riddance. Saves us a bunch of money and this guy is gone for good.

[goffredo29]

Let's not forget that he wouldn't have killed that girl if the Georgia state officials had not let him go when he begged them not to saying he needed help. But really, who cares about that when it's all this mindless sensationalism that really matters to us. We'd rather these individuals kill someone and make headlines than to intervene before someone is killed.

[rhs648]

You are so correct. It is disgusting that we pay taxes so our court system can keep putting these people back on the streets. Build more prisons if necessary. Double or triple the number of prisons if necessary. Just keep these people away from society. Public safety should be a priority of our government.

[rational_1]

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving POS! Too bad I don't believe in he!!, because this is one guy who really needs a seat close to the fire.

[stuart-johns1]

Well....I guess the appropiate response to this news is, GOOD!

[wdh3007]

Justice has been served and this animal is where he belongs to rot and be tormented for all eternity.

[rwsmith29456]

Got the job done sooner than the state did. Probably cost less, too.