Jury Hears Of Couey's Jail Statements

Mar 06, 07:39 AM

Current Headlines: By Thomas W. Krause, Tampa Tribune, Fla.

Mar. 6--MIAMI -- For the first time in three days of trial testimony, jurors heard that John Evander Couey acknowledged a role in the disappearance and death of Jessica Marie "Jessie" Lunsford.

Gene Secord, the husband of Couey's niece, testified that he spent several months in a jail cell next to Couey and Couey talked about the case. Secord had been arrested on a charge of failure to pay child support.

While incarcerated, Secord said he chided Couey for his newfound religion.

"I asked him if he believed in God so much how could he have done what he done," Secord testified on Monday. "He told me it was in the past and he can't live in the past."

Upon further prodding, Couey pushed the blame elsewhere.

"He told me if his sister had loved him more, he wouldn't have done this," Secord said.

Prosecutors are trying to convince the jury that Couey abducted, raped and killed Jessie in February 2005. If he is convicted, they will seek the death penalty.

The trial was moved to Miami after an attempt in July failed to find an impartial jury in Central Florida.

DNA Expert Says Samples Match

Beyond Secord's testimony Monday, jurors will hear from others who say Couey admitted to the crime.

Three jail deputies are expected to testify that Couey talked to them about his case.

Still, the jury will not hear Couey's main statement to Citrus County sheriff's investigators. Shortly after Jessie died, Couey told investigators that he walked into the Lunsfords' mobile home late at night, according to a transcript of the interrogation. When he saw Jessie, he motioned for her to follow him to his own mobile home. Couey told investigators that he raped her, then buried her alive, the transcript states.

The statement was ruled inadmissible because Couey had asked for a lawyer and was not provided one.

A bevy of physical evidence links Couey to Jessie's disappearance and death, prosecutors argue.

On Monday, a DNA expert with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement testified that bloodstains found on Couey's mattress included Jessie's DNA. Semen found on the mattress included Couey's DNA.

Several experts in fingerprint analysis also testified Monday that prints found on a pizza box found in Couey's closet matched Couey and Jessie.

Couey Draws Trees, Flowers

Couey's defense spent much of Friday attempting to discredit the evidence. Assistant Public Defender Dan Lewan pointed out that many other fingerprints were on the pizza box but were not identified by analysts.

State Attorney Brad King said the defense's attempts were in vain.

"He told her to stay in the closet, and she did," King said. "That is borne out by the evidence."

Through much of Monday's testimony, Couey remained expressionless.

Often, he didn't look up from the defense table. He sketched wildly, using a green colored pencil on a pad of scratch paper. In the morning, he drew a large, leafy tree. In the afternoon, he sketched flowers.

Assistant State Attorney Pete Magrino said the prosecution might rest its case as early as today.

The medical examiner and lead detective have yet to testify. The three jail deputies also must testify.

Defense attorneys have said they will call a forensic psychologist to testify that Couey is mildly retarded and mentally ill. Before closing arguments, prosecutors can call a "rebuttal witness" to challenge that notion.

Jessie's Mother Attends Proceedings

If the jury finds Couey guilty, the trial would enter a second phase where jurors would determine whether Couey deserves the death penalty. The judge has indicated that the attorneys will get a few days to prepare for the penalty phase. It is expected to begin one week from today if needed.

A new observer appeared in the courtroom on Monday -- Angela Bryant, Jessie's mother.

Bryant and Jessie's father, Mark Lunsford, split years ago. Lunsford kept custody.

In court breaks Monday, Lunsford talked to Bryant, and the two appeared cordial.

"It's hard for her," Lunsford said outside the courthouse. "She's her mother."

Lunsford's comments after court marked the first time he has spoken publicly since the trial began.

Lunsford said he has viewed graphic photographs prosecutors showed the jury on Friday. The pictures included shots taken when investigators unearthed Jessie's body and one photo of his daughter's body atop a coroner table.

Viewing the pictures was the most difficult part of the trial, Lunsford said. Regardless, he said he felt he had to see them so he can explain to lawmakers why states need tougher laws to protect children.

"We'll always be one step behind the sex offenders and predators," he said.

Congressmen who do not want to spend the money on tougher laws need to understand the horrors of what happened to Jessie as well as what happens to countless other children, Lunsford said.

"Maybe they should see the wire that tied my daughter's hands," he said. "It's not just that scumbag on trial. It's the entire system."

Reporter Anthony McCartney contributed to this report. Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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