A taste of Homosassa

Mark Lunsford, and others from the Fifth Judicial Circuit, gathered outside the courthouse Wednesday evening, praising the work of Miami's jurors.

Media representatives clamored to get shots, audio or quotes during a pre-arranged press conference, pushing their way forward and arguing over camera angles. More turned up to find out whether John Couey would live or die than did to hear the jury's guilty verdict.

Mark thanked the jurors for their service, embracing several that had stayed behind to talk to the press. One, Thais Prado, started to tear up and urged him to stay strong.

She told him she was "proud to have helped in the trial."

Mark asked the media throng not to hound the jurors.

"Maybe some of them would like to go home and put this thing behind them," he said, and then joked, "I know you'll be up on my doorstep."

While he, and others, said today was an achievement for the justice system, Mark emphasized that he would not abandon the fight against pedophiles.

"Don't you turn your backs on these kids," he warned journalists. "There's a story every day about a child."

Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy and State Attorney Brad King delivered similar messages.

"There are other John Coueys out there," Dawsy said. "If you're there, we're coming for you."

-- Elena Lesley