RSSJudge Throws Out John Couey Statement to Unrelated 1985 Murder in Jessica Lunsford Case
Who said that child killers are not provided more rights that their victims? Circuit Judge Ric 
Howard has thrown out the John Couey statement of a 1985 unrelated, unsolved murder. The statement was thrown out as child killer, John Couey, had already asked for a lawyer. The Defense had asked for the incriminating evidence to be thrown out.
Assistant Public Defender Dan Lewan said that the questioning violated Couey’s right to an attorney and his right to remain silent. Prosecutors argued that those rights didn’t apply to questioning in cases unrelated to Jessica’s death.
Couey has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, sexual battery on a child, kidnapping and burglary in the girl’s death. His trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 12 with jury selection in Miami. The trial was moved to South Florida in the hopes of finding an unbiased jury. (Orlando Sentinel)
Although it is obvious that they judge had to make this decision or risk having a later conviction against Couey being overturned altogether on appeal … it is just sickening.
It is disgusting that John Couey is being provided more rights than he ever gave any of his victim. I am sure he provided innocent Jessica Lunsford all the rights and courtesies he is being provided by our legal system. The statement that was just thrown out certainly infers he killed Jessica Lunsford. We understand that the judge had to do this and that the police really screwed up, its just makes us sick that this man is provided any compassion.
Orlando police Detective Joel Wright testified Friday that Couey told him: “I wish I could help you, but I can’t … If I did it I would tell you, they can only kill me once.” (Sun Sentinel)
Let us never forget what this man did to little Jessica Lunsford. Also the fact that those who helped him in this crime should be tried as well. Previously, the confession had been thrown out that John Couey admitted to the murder of Jessica Lunsford.
Previously, the trial had been moved to South Florida in an attempt to find an unbiased jury. Heaven help us if we can find people that are unbiased and do not form an opinion as to what this monster did to Jessica Lunsford. In a civil and moral society, we do not have to understand why, nor be un-bias when a person commits a heinous crime against another. Especially, a helpless child. The day we become un-bias about such things is the day we lose our humanity.
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29 Responses to “Judge Throws Out John Couey Statement to Unrelated 1985 Murder in Jessica Lunsford Case”
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Reading this really makes me want to get a gun and shoot myself out of pure rage. Let’s never forget that this animal kept Jessica imprisoned for two or three days, and then, before burying her alive, put a plastic blue dolphin in with her. That sordid detail somehow, to me, makes this case resonate much more than so many others … that someone could bury a beautiful child alive and yet do that.
I’m not going to say anymore, because the words I want to use wouldn’t be allowed. Hopefully the jury has enough sense to know what is what … if not, this is one case where I would applaud vigilantes waiting outside the court.
My guess is, 95% of the police would cheer them on.
If it’s OK, let’s not call this animal a man. I’m a man myself, or so I am led to suppose, and I don’t care to admit the slightest touch of resemblance or association.
Richard,
Not sure if we can call Couey an animal … its a dis-service to animals.
Red
I am confused at the heading of ths story ..re: 1985. I don’t remember her murder being that many years ago. What
amI missing. I am old you know..??????
Molly …
Police asked Couey about a 1985 unrelated murder because he lived in the area at the time. The response that he gave was as follows:
Meaning … that he had nothing to do with the 1985 unsolved crime. If he had he would help because he can only be killed once, ie meaning because he had killed Jessica Lunsford and can only be given the “death penalty” once.
Red
heathen sounds pretty reasonable to me. they’ll have to have couey’s trial on aruba for him to stand a chance of not being convicted.
dennisintn
The picture is the picture of a MONSTER, a human being.
Animals do not kill for sport, they kill for survival. As Red said it is a dis-service to put him/it in the animal category.
May the sane rights that defend him now, put him in the electric chair, justice be swift.
JOHN COUEY IS A MONSTER AND SO ARE THE COHORTS WHO KNEW JESSICA WAS IN THE CLOSET, MAY YOU RIH
rectify, my first sentence, he is NOT a human being. Also was not sane was supposed to be same. Typing in my anger, sorry. I need a time out.
Beast,you have no right to live.I think it does not matter which murder you die for,as long you take no air,food or water from a civilized society.I am trying to be blunt enough for all to see how I feel about him and his cohorts.
roflmao, joe, you’re coming in loud and clear. and i agree.
dennisintn
Although I believe the so called Criminal Justice system is catered to the perps…just look at its name…The only thing this thing has left are the days between now and his lethal injection.
There’s no way he won’t be found not guilty and no way he won’t be excuted unless some liberal weenie judge stops that in Florida also.
I say throw him in with the general prison population and see how long he survives….I’ll bet they’ll be alot less humane as lethal injection.
There’s no way he won’t be found not guilty and no way he won’t be excuted unless some liberal weenie judge stops that in Florida also.
Oops I mean no way he would be found not guilty
I live in florida and everytime his face appears on tv i get sick to my stomach. How dare this piece of filth even take one more breath of air. Look at jessica’s eyes. God bless her she was so happy looking. To be treated that way, ppl youve got to believe that he is one of SATANS spawns. EVIL is alive and well on this planet.
I cannot believe how many things get screwed up in FLORIDA. Why?
#l4, it’s close to aruba?
dennisintn
There are no words to describe the horror that poor little Jessica endured, right across the street from where she lived. The *(&(&(*& even let her watch tv to see them looking for her. What a waste of air. I am generally against the death penalty, but I would be first in line to back up her family if they took him out tomorrow. Such a beautiful little girl.
I watched this on CNN and that is how I saw the beginning of the Natalee Holloway case.
The Lunsford family, I hope they are getting all the support they need.
Ruth, Archie, Mark and Jessica’s Mum. All of Jessie’s family. This was one of the most emotional gut wrenching things I ever followed and it had a lasting effect.
I don’t know how these families cope or just function on a day to day basis.
I used to be against the death penalty until this one. Now, I would administer the penalty gladly.
From what I’ve read in the news the perp isn’t 50 years old (?)- but he looks like he’s 70. His face is as wasted as his life. The horrendous acts he commited upon young Jessica, a 9 year old child, are disgusting and repulsive. A lethal shot in the arm is too kind for him.
Remember the movie, The Green Mile – that punishment would serve him well. They still have ole smokey going in FL don’t they?
And actually the death penalty is not a deterrant to crime – it used to serve as an example that if you “did the crime, you’d pay the time”. Now it means the one being executed won’t kill again. The death penalty is about revenge. There are many times when society shouldn’t turn the other cheek and give a defendant life in prison without parole. This is one of them.
You got that right, Para2legal, and I’d be right beside ya!
Richard:
We thank God, everyday, that he gave us men like you that are full of kindness and apathy. You, and those like you are likened to the heroes that we speak about that throw themselves into the pit of an on-coming train for the life of another.
Thank you Bob, Tazman, MD, Joe Bear, Dennis from Tennessee, Indy Dan, Dave, Super Dave… the list goes on… All of you willing to help.
Vickie:
Thank you for showing us that if we make an effort to help someone, it can pay off in big rewards.
Anne, Bob, Whytegirl, Ms. U., Justice for Natalee, Kat Gram, Another and the countless others, thank you for your letter writting… it’s working
Red, Tom:
I, especially thank you.
We will never forget what this monster did to one of ours.
Justice for Natalee in 2007
Boycott Aruba and whoever else that leaves Justice to tend
to itself…
especially, you, Mr. Oduber.
As I know that I can’t list you all, you know who you are and the thank you is ever so big for you, too.
I think life in prison is too good for Couey.
He is a drifter kind of guy, scrambling to get the three squares a day, plus drugs and booze. Prison might be like a little holiday camp for him. The death penalty…. he is not fit to live among humans. Just fry him. End of story. Better yet, bury him alive.
I know this is NOT what Jesus would say or do, but then I am not Jesus. Sorry.
Look at that beautiful little Jessica’s face. This one is gutwrenching, he is a MONSTER. The details of what this piece of garbage did rips me up inside, to me if you hurt a child like that & confess and police find her little body where you said they would…..thats it….you take em out. End of story. Thats how i would do things but no….he gets to confess to police & plead not guilty to the judge. In clear cut cases like this i just ask why they are letting him pretend he didn’t do it?
I haven’t been this upset since lil Danielle Van Dam was kidnapped & murdered in San Diego a few years back. I hate this Couey SOB!
I grew up in Florida. The Sunshine State and it’s Sunshine Laws are a joke. No way would a bunch of criminals (another name for many Florida judges and politicians) want to hurt someone who they sympathize with (Couey). NO different than the trash crying over “poor” Saddam’s treatment at the gallows. (puke)
Let’s not forget how well a Florida judge “protected” Terri Shaivo. Her husband was given the go ahead to basically murder her. What if the same thing done to Terri was done OUTSIDE of a hospice or hospital to an old lady in an attic somewhere? One can only imagine the charges of cruelty.
Florida is also harboring our dearest O.J. (puke again) It is getting as bad there as in the liberal areas of California. Such a shame.
Also, how in the name of God did a law get passed that allowed Couey’s roommates to lie to police and not be charged? More Sunshine Laws at work.
Back to the point. Jessica. Couey will not get off and go free, but with a man like that, life in prison or death are pretty much equal sentences in the long run. (Would love to know he is getting what he gave, so to speak, with his new roommates). He’d not last long in there anyway. Creatures such as Couey have a price on their heads. Other prisoners would LOVE to be the one to kill him.
Brenda
For the life of me, I do not understand why Florida isn’t putting the other two creatures that lived in the same dwelling he did on trial for their miserable lives. They had to hear the cries and hurt that Jessica endured.
I do not believe they didn’t know. They had to. For want of a better word, I call them demons. Couey needs to be put out of his misery, period.
Dear Kay…
There is no law in Florida that makes it a crime to lie or withhold evidence from the police. At least not prior to being in their custody.
Sad, but I must agree those co-demons of Couey knew what was happening. They didn’t care. Not one bit.
Brenda
Brenda,
In essence what you are saying is that this action(or inaction) is not considered aiding and abetting a criminal act in the state of Florida? Un ****ing real!(Please excuse my expletive deleted, it’s just how I feel right now, between tears and frustration.
yes, from what I remember that is correct. I had read comments on TBO.com (tampabay online) on this subject at the time and people down there were outraged as well. Nothing law enforcement could do. Pitiful.
Brenda
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