I can't remember why both JRR and CWW were charged with 2nd degree as it appears to me as that they committed murder with premeditation. I am assuming the charges will be upped? Or is 2nd degree, being a lesser charge, supposed to be an incentive for them to talk? Is there a time frame for both men to have their charges elevated to 1st degree?
What would MS be charged with when LE gets more proof? Conspiracy? Or would he also be charged with 2nd degree murder? I was also wondering whether the murder of TS meets the criteria for the DP? TIA
I have also wondered whether TS's murder fits with Florida's death penalty criteria. If so, for which suspects, etc. I found a list of aggravating circumstances listed on the Florida statute, which I have copied and pasted below. When I read through them, several seemed to me that they could be used against one or more of the suspects, IF the charges are upped to First degree Murder. I highlighted the ones that jumped out to me in red.
(5) AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES.Aggravating circumstances shall be limited to the following:
(
a) The capital felony was committed by a person previously convicted of a felony and under sentence of imprisonment or placed on community control or on felony probation.
(b) The defendant was previously convicted of another capital felony or of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person.
(c) The defendant knowingly created a great risk of death to many persons.
(d) The capital felony was committed while the defendant was engaged, or was an accomplice, in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit, any: robbery; sexual battery; aggravated child abuse; abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement; arson; burglary; kidnapping; aircraft piracy; or unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb.
(e) The capital felony was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or effecting an escape from custody.
(f) The capital felony was committed for pecuniary gain.
(g) The capital felony was committed to disrupt or hinder the lawful exercise of any governmental function or the enforcement of laws.
(h) The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
(i) The capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification.
(j) The victim of the capital felony was a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his or her official duties.
(k) The victim of the capital felony was an elected or appointed public official engaged in the performance of his or her official duties if the motive for the capital felony was related, in whole or in part, to the victims official capacity.
(l) The victim of the capital felony was a person less than 12 years of age.
(m) The victim of the capital felony was particularly vulnerable due to advanced age or disability, or because the defendant stood in a position of familial or custodial authority over the victim.
(n) The capital felony was committed by a criminal gang member, as defined in s. 874.03.
(o) The capital felony was committed by a person designated as a sexual predator pursuant to s. 775.21 or a person previously designated as a sexual predator who had the sexual predator designation removed.
JRR was on federal probation at the time of the murder, so A could apply to him. F, H and I could apply to JRR, CWW and MS, if charged. They all committed the murder for financial gain. I am not sure what legally qualifies as "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel", but to me being beaten to death with hammers seems like it should fit the bill. They could have shot her or chosen any other death in their sick scheme. But they chose one of the most vicious, brutal ways I can even think of to kill someone. I also think they killed TS in cold, calculated and premeditated way, without any moral justification. They did it for greed, plan and simple. I hope someone in the Sheriff's department reads those verbatim to JRR, and he squeals like a pig. I sincerely hope once JRR cracks, they will have enough to press CWW, who will sing like a canary about his "brother from another mother". Actually what I REALLY hope is that somehow they will get what they need to arrest MS, and up the charges to murder 1 on all of them. It makes me sick to think of any of them getting a deal.