Be a man -- don't appeal

Mark Lunsford and Sheriff Jeff Dawsy told media that they hoped John Couey would take responsibility for his actions, that he'd "stand up and be a man."

But they added that they doubt he'll do that.

Dawsy approached Couey after the sentence was handed down and advised the killer to waive his appeals, "to expedite his meeting with the maker."

Lunsford agreed, saying Couey should "skip all those appeals. Take your punishment and be done with it." Experts have estimated that the appeals for this complicated case could take longer than the average 12 years.

Since Jessica Lunford's murder, Couey has blamed everyone but himself -- his sister, the sheriff's department, the system, Lunsford said.

He added: "Didn't nobody else do this but him."

-- Elena Lesley