Lunsford to Couey: "I hope you hear her cries as you try to sleep at night"

After waiting more than two years, Mark Lunsford finally addressed the man convicted of killing his 9-year-old daughter, Jessica.

"I hope you hear her cries as you try to sleep at night," he said at a court hearing Tuesday. "I hope you see the tears run down her face when she asked you to go home.

"I hope you spend the rest of your life in fear of death. You will never hurt another child again."

The dramatic testimony came near the end of a seven-hour hearing in Citrus County that explored whether John Couey will die by lethal injection, which a Miami jury recommended in March after finding him guilty on all counts.

Couey, 48, kidnapped, raped and then buried Jessica alive in February 2005.

Couey’s court appointed attorneys are trying to spare his life by arguing that he is mentally retarded and not eligible for the death penalty under state law.

Circuit Judge Ric Howard anticipated ruling but decided to reserve judgement when defense attorneys asked him to review previous mental health records and court transcripts as part of their case.

Click here to see the Bay News 9 video report on Lunsford's testimony.

Times staff writer

Long-awaited date for Couey sentencing set

INVERNESS -- John Couey, the 48-year-old sex offender convicted in March of killing Jessica Lunsford, will face a Citrus judge for a formal sentencing Aug. 10, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Circuit Judge Ric Howard set the long-awaited date ahead of next week's hearing about whether Couey is mentally retarded, as defense attorneys assert.

If found retarded at next Tuesday's hearing, Couey would be ineligible for the death penalty, which a Miami jury recommended as punishment for kidnapping, raping and killing the 9-year-old Homosassa girl in February 2005. State law gives the final sentencing responsibility to the Howard, who must give great weight to the jury's advice.

--John Frank, Times staff writer