News / People
John Couey, killer of Jessica Lunsford, sentenced to death
Couey, a convicted sex offender, kidnapped Jessica in February 2005. He raped her before putting her in trash bags and burying her alive in his backyard. Jessica’s body was found three weeks after she was kidnapped only 150 yards from her own home. Couey was arrested and confessed to murdering the girl.
Couey originally argued the death penalty, saying he was mentally retarded. The judge dismissed the claim and Couey remined unemotional as he sentenced him to be executed.
Jessica’s father, Mark Lunsford, had a message Couey to saying, “Skip all these appeals. Take your punishment.”
