INVERNESS — Defense attorneys for John Couey are asking for a new trial.
In a new motion, the public defender’s office charges prosecutorial misconduct contributed to Couey not receiving a fair and impartial trial.
Couey was convicted by a Miami jury earlier this month for burglary, kidnapping, rape and murder in the death of Jessica Lunsford. Days later, jurors recommended a death sentence.
Couey’s attorneys argue a number of points where the judge erred, such as wrongly denying defense challenges of jurors in the jury selection process and refusing to grant the defense additional preemptory challenges.
Defense attorneys said the verdict was contrary to the law and evidence and is against the weight of evidence.
Tuesday’s filing is a perfunctory step in the appeals process of a capital case. The motion could be heard at Thursday’s previously scheduled status conference in Inverness.
--John Frank
Follow the latest developments in the murder trial of John Couey as compiled and reported by the staff of the St. Petersburg Times and tampabay.com.
