John Allen Ditullio Guilty Verdict: Neo-Nazi Convicted of Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (CBS/WTSP) All the makeup in the world couldn't cover up John Allen Ditullio's guilt, according to the Florida jury that convicted him Wednesday of murder and attempted murder, and recommended life in prison without parole after less than 30 minutes of deliberation.
Then on Thursday Circuit Judge Michael Andrews followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced the 24-year-old neo-Nazi to life without parole for the attempted murder of Patricia Wells and the murder of Kristofer King, a friend of Wells' son.
Prior to being sentenced Ditullio spoke directly to the jury at the West Pasco County Courthouse, according to CBS affiliate WTSP.
"I'm not going to beg you for my life. Do what you do... but the people that just sat up here and testified that they love me, that's what I ask you to render your verdict on. Not me," Ditullio said, according to the station.
Every day of the trial Detullio's multitude of tattoos, including a large swastika on his neck, barbed wire and an expletive, had been covered by a $150-a-day makeup artist, but on Thursday his attorneys informed the judge that he did not want to wear the makeup, WTSP reported.
Authorities say Ditullio forced his way into Wells' mobile home in March 2006. Ditullio cut her with a knife and then killed 17-year-old King.
Ditullio was a prospective member of a white supremacist group, the American Nazis, that met near Wells' trailer and prosecutors say the two were targeted because Wells was friends with a black man and King was gay.
Ditullio's attorneys plan to appeal the guilty verdict. They have 30 days to file their appeal. Because of the public outcry over the cost of the state-appointed makeup artist, they told the judge they would represent Ditullio pro bono, or free of charge, during the appeals process, WTSP reported.