A Florida death-row inmate convicted of abducting and murdering 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford in 2005 has died, prison officials said Wednesday.
The father of Jessica Lunsford, the girl who was raped and murdered by a neighbor in 2005, announces he is suing the sheriff who handled the case.
Mark Lunsford, whose daughter Jessica was abducted, raped and killed by a neighbor in 2005, is planning to sue the Citrus County, Florida, sheriff for failing to search the neighbor's home, Lunsford's attorneys said.
Couey sentencing reaction
Killer eligible for death
Looking directly at the man who murdered his 9-year-old daughter, Mark Lunsford told John Evander Couey, "I hope you hear her cry as you try to sleep at night."
Jurors on Wednesday recommended the death penalty for John Evander Couey, who was found guilty last week of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
John Evander Couey was found guilty Wednesday of murder, kidnapping, sexual assault and burglary in the abduction and death of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
Court documents indicate that family members of sex offender John Couey recently told police he sexually abused their daughters years before he was arrested for murdering 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
A Florida man's confession that he kidnapped, raped and buried alive a 9-year-old girl may never be heard by a jury because, according to documents, he previously asked for a lawyer but was not given one.
A bill introduced in the House and Senate on Wednesday would require sex offenders to register with authorities before their release from prison and require two-time convicts to wear a monitoring device for life.
Members of Congress on Thursday were introduced to legislation that would require states to keep closer tabs on convicted sex offenders not behind bars.
New details emerged Wednesday on the last moments in the life of slain 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, while Florida lawmakers moved forward on a bill named for her that would impose tougher penalties on sex offenders.
The Florida Senate will take up a measure that would impose tougher penalties for sex offenders after the House of Representatives unanimously approved a similar bill Tuesday.
A convicted sex offender facing capital murder charges in the killing of a 9-year-old Florida girl told investigators he buried her alive, law enforcement sources told CNN Friday night.
Family and friends of Jessica Lunsford gathered Saturday for a public memorial service for the 9-year-old girl killed after being abducted from her home last month.
The man charged with killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford confessed in 1991 that he tried to molest a 5-year-old girl, telling police "I need help," according to a tape obtained by CNN.
John Evander Couey made his first appearance in court Tuesday on charges of murdering 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford, with the judge telling the 46-year-old his alleged crimes are "beyond words."
Three weeks after 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford disappeared from her home, authorities said Friday a convicted sex offender who had fled to Georgia confessed to kidnapping and killing her.
Authorities have sealed off the Homosassa Springs, Florida, home where convicted sex offender John Evander Couey was staying when 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford disappeared three weeks ago.
Florida investigators said Wednesday they are seeking convicted sex offender John Evander Couey for questioning in last month's disappearance of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
Police in Citrus County, Florida, are looking for a man they are calling a "person of interest" in the case of a missing 9-year-old Homosassa girl, the sheriff's department said Tuesday.
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