Jessica Lunsford
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| Jessica Marie Lunsford | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 6, 1995 Gastonia, North Carolina, United States |
| Died | February 27, 2005 Homosassa, Florida, United States |
Jessica Marie Lunsford (October 6, 1995 – February 27, 2005) was an American kidnapping, rape and murder victim.
Jessica was abducted from her home in Homosassa, Florida on February 23, 2005. The case of her disappearance and subsequent murder was covered extensively by the media.
[edit] Circumstances of the case
After approximately three weeks of intense searching for the young girl in and around the area of her home, a person of interest, now known to be John Evander Couey, was first arrested in Savannah, Georgia for an outstanding warrant of marijuana possession, but was released after questioning because it was only a local warrant. Later Couey was arrested in Augusta, Georgia.
On March 18, 2005, John Evander Couey confessed to having kidnapped and murdered Jessica Lunsford.[2] [3] Her father, Mark Lunsford, is currently trying to have the suspect get the death penalty. According to police reports, Lunsford was abducted after attending a local church service.
John Couey stated he entered Jessica's house through an unlocked door at about 3am. He awoke Jessica, told her "Don't yell or nothing" and had her follow him.[4] Couey occupied a trailer along with two other women. He admitted in his video taped and recorded deposition to having sexual intercourse with Jessica in his bedroom.[5] They then both slept nude together and he assaulted her again in the morning,[6] leaving her in the closet with the instructions not to leave. She stayed in the closet the entire day as John Couey reported for work at "Billy's Truck Lot",[7] never attempting to escape.
On March 19, 2005 at 12:13am, police found Jessica's body buried in a hole, covered with leaves, near a residence on West Sparrow Court.
A judge ruled on June 30, 2006 that John Couey's taped confession is inadmissible in court and will not be heard by members of the jury. The decision was based on the fact that, at the time the confession was recorded, police had not granted Couey's repeated requests for access to a lawyer. It was ruled that all evidence collected after Couey's confession, including the recovery of Lunsford's body, will be allowed in court, as will incriminating statements made by Couey to investigators and a jail guard.[1]
The Jessica Lunsford Act was named after her and it requires tighter restrictions on sex offenders. Jessica's Law refers to similar reform acts inititated by the states.
