GUILTY FL - Lisa, 26, Zachary, 7, & Savannah Freiberg, 2, murdered, Lutz, 12 May 2008

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"They're not holding my interests in their behalf. Its their job to bring up those inconsistencies and those statements that are false."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"The jury's supposed to hear both sides, and if a witness is saying something that is untruthful, then they need to be made aware of that."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"If my counsel's not doing that, then I don't need them," #EdwardCovington says.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
Prosecutor wants to know specifically what #EdwardCovington wanted done

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"First off, I need to apologize to the court and to Ms. Freiberg for my outburst...The statements that were coming out that upset me+

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"Ms. Freiberg was not completely honest with my position with Lisa and our relationship. How often she had seen me+

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"Also the fact that Mr. Freiberg was the individual that helped me replace the transmission in Lisa's truck when the transmission was out."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 5m5 minutes ago
"I've been with them many times" Christmas, Thanksgiving. "There was more contact with what's being said."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"It's not being brough out. That's not being said. There was a relationip, a very unhealthy relationship." #EdwardCovington says

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 4m4 minutes ago
"There's other things coming up that have been said by law enforcement officers that R false and I know they were false because I was there"

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
"If he saw Lisa and he saw her dead, then he saw me on the bed, because that's where I was." #EdwardCovington says re Keith Freiberg

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
Judge says these witnesses haven't testified yet. #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
"This is only the first day of the trial and only 4 witnesses have testified. I don't know what you expected your lawyers to do," judge says

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"At this juncture, I have to tell you very candidly...this is the most researched case I've done in the 20 + years I've been on the bench."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
Judge denies request to discharge lawyers. "Then I want to change my plea," #EdwardCovington says.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
Judge says #EdwardCovington's lawyers are "completely effective" and "not incompetent in any way."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"I'd like to defend myself," #EdwardCovington says. "I want to represent myself. I want to change my plea..."

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
#EdwardCovington wants to plead guilty. dismiss jury for phase one and ask judge to decide death or life

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"I have nothing to present the court" re mitigation in death phase. "I have nothing to present" #EdwardCovington repeats.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
Judge says "There's a lot of mitigation."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"The only way that any justice can come out of this tragedy..." #EdwardCovington says

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
Judge interrupts. don't want to hurt you.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"The truth of the matter is I may not understand or be aware of what all happened that tragic day, but I am responsible for what happened."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
Judge asks and #EdwardCovington says he wants to represent himself.

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
Judge explaining #EdwardCovington the role of a lawyer. He says he understands.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 54s55 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington judge saying jury instructions are "extremely complex." defendant says he understands it's a complicated process

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 50s50 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington judge tells him "it's always unwise for anybody to represent himself or herself in court."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 35s36 seconds ago
Judge tells #EdwardCovington he will not continue the trial or let him out to do research or talk to witnesses. Will hold him to same rules

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 22s22 seconds ago
"These rules and procedures took lawyers years to learn and abide by," judge tells #EdwardCovington. Says will have him removed if acts up

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 42s43 seconds ago
"Yes sir," #EdwardCovington says repeatedly if asked if he understands.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 13s14 seconds ago
"Do you understand the dangers and disadvantages of representing yourself?" "Yes, sir, I do." #EdwardCovington

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 37s37 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington is 42, finished high school, almost 4 years college. "I'm on medication."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 10s11 seconds ago
"If it wasn't for the medications I take, I wouldn't be where I'm at today....At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 19s20 seconds ago
"I just have high frequency hearing loss," #EdwardCovington says, explaining why he wears headphones

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 8s9 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington says he's absolutely certain he wants to represent himself.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 47s48 seconds ago
Judge says if he grants the request, will keep lawyers as standby counsel in the courtroom. #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 8s9 seconds ago
Prosecutor Jay Pruner asks to make record clear #EdwardCovington wears headphones to help him hear.

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 15s16 seconds ago
"The medication I'm on today has helped me with cognitive thinking that allows me to be able to function."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 44s45 seconds ago
"If it was not for my meds, I would have gone off a lot worse than I did earlier. It helps keep me calm and allows me to function."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 50s50 seconds ago
"After lunch and time to reflect...What is the only thing that matters and is acceptable and appropriate, yes."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 23s23 seconds ago
"The only thing that matters is one, justice, two closure." #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 28s28 seconds ago
"The head phones are so good, I can hear your sidebars," #EdwardCovington says. Judge says they're set up that way

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 1m1 minute ago
Def lawyer Michael Peacock: "He has clearly said he does not want us representing him and he's dissatisfied." asks for other standby counsel

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 41s42 seconds ago
Prosecutor Jay Pruner says appointing other attorneys would delay trial. "adamantly" asks that not happen. "It's been 6 yrs in the making."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 30s30 seconds ago
Judge appoints present lawyers as standby counsel. #EdwardCovington going to represent self.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 6s7 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington repeats his request to plead guilty and have judge decide second phase - death or life.

 

[Jewels53]

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 56s56 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington is going to plead GUILTY. He wants jury to be released. He wants judge to decide death or life.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 1m1 minute ago
"I waive having a jury. I'd rather have your honor presiding over that." #EdwardCovington tells judge

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 7s7 seconds ago
State says aggravating circumstances: previously convicted of felony; multiple homicides; while defendant committing ag child abuse

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
+heinous, attrocious or cruel re Lisa Freiberg; re children,age of the victims. Victim was particularly vulnerable coz of def's authority

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"I don't know what mitigating circumstances," judge says. expects sevl factors re documented mental health issues

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"Yes, sir," #EdwardCovington says. "I am not going to use that as a mitigator."

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
Prosecutor wants to go forward "either with the litigation or the plea." #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
#EdwardCovington says he talked to lawyers in past about plea

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
"It originally was my intent to plead guilty instead of having a trial," #EdwardCovington says.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 3m3 minutes ago
"After today, I know I would not be able to sit here and go through this," #EdwardCovington says.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"I'm not trying to take anything away from the Freiberg family. I'm devastated. I'm in as much pain as they are. I know they're in more pain

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
+"I know they're in more pain than I am," #EdwardCovington says of victim's family

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"My life means nothing to me," #EdwardCovington says. "My life died on May 10."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"Having discharged as counsel, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to make any comments at this point," Peacock says

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 2m2 minutes ago
"My pleading guilty is the right thing to do. I don't need to talk to anybody else. It's the only thing to do. It's the appropriate thing"

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 1m1 minute ago
"I can only tell you what I do recall," #EdwardCovington says, saying he doesn't remember everything.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 1m1 minute ago
Judge "strongly suggests against" guilty plea. #EdwardCovington says this for "justice for Lisa's family and that."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 35s36 seconds ago
"In all honesty, I expect death. I would not think the state would do its job if they didn't" ask for it, #EdwardCovington says

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 26s27 seconds ago
"I'd assume you'd sentence me to death. It's what I'd do to myself. It's what i deserve," #EdwardCovington tells judge

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 47s47 seconds ago
"I have all respect in your judgment and I believe you'll render your judgment fair and if I get death, it's definitely warranted. +"

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 15s16 seconds ago
"I feel it's warranted...For the last 6 years, i have thought about this and even though I may have been temporarily insane or whatever+

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 37s38 seconds ago
"+In the end I'm ultimately responsible. I knew something was going wrong and I failed to protect the people i cared about," #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO now
Lawyers discussing whether #EdwardCovington is competent to enter guilty plea. Prosecutor says doc recently said he is competent

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 49s50 seconds ago
Former #EdwardCovington lawyer says different standards for competency to plead guilty are different.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 25s26 seconds ago
Lawyer wonders if he can speak. Judge says, "You're not out of line at all." Citing case re competency. #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 33s34 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington judge says "great responsibility" to decide death. Going to recess jury until Monday or Tuesday

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 43s44 seconds ago
Judge going to have mental health experts evaluate #EdwardCovington competency. possibly take guilty plea tomorrow

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 11s12 seconds ago
If #EdwardCovington does plead guilty, judge says he will notify the jury not to return.

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 5s5 seconds ago
If experts say #EdwardCovington is competent, judge will let him plead guilty tomorrow. If not, "then we'll have to take it from there."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 23s24 seconds ago
Judge tells #EdwardCovington jury "some procedural and evidentiary matters have arisen." going to recess them until Monday morning

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 59s60 seconds ago
#EdwardCovington jury out of room. "If you still wish to plead, I'll take your plea tomorrow."

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 1m1 minute ago
"In the essence of time, if we continue to have that jury hear the second phase+

 

[Jewels53]

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 47s47 seconds ago
If it's quicker, he says, let the jury hear the second phase. #EdwardCovington says

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 39s40 seconds ago
"I don't need to be checked by a doctor for competency," #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 47s47 seconds ago
Judge says he needs to do it. Issue will be raised later by an appellate court. #EdwardCovington

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 33s34 seconds ago
"I just don't think the Freiberg family should be put through any more turmoil," #EdwardCovington says. "6 years is long enough +

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 45s45 seconds ago
+"beyond what it should have been." #EdwardCovington says.

Elaine Silvestrini ‏@ElaineTBO 47s48 seconds ago
Judge wants to to appoint doctors not involved before. Lawyers say a lot have

 

[Jewels53]

Wow what a change of events. Why didn't Covington plead out 6 yrs ago! Instead he wasted everyone's time with all of the legal stuff, with all of the lawyers and $$$$ spent. Plus putting the family through a living nightmare!

Wait maybe he should have never committed the crime to begin with. I wonder if Judge Fuentes will give him the DP or life?

All imo and moo!

 

[Skully]

Thank you for posting all that happened today. I started to watch but I had to walk away when the Grandmother was on the stand. I don't know how she has gotten up every day and faced it. Same for the Grandfather. I hope this crazy thing is put to death and it is over quick. I remember when this all happened but I never dug into the case to hear exactly what he did to them. Sweet Mother of God, I hope they are at peace.

 

[atm9533]

wow, he is crazy crazy

 

[LAMARQ]

Wow what a change of events. Why didn't Covington plead out 6 yrs ago! Instead he wasted everyone's time with all of the legal stuff, with all of the lawyers and $$$$ spent. Plus putting the family through a living nightmare!

He said he wanted to plead guilty to begin with. Plus I think he's had 6 years to think about all this. I still think he's evil as heck, but I do think he was sincere today. I hope he gets to plead guilty tomorrow.

ETA: thank you for posting all the tweets. I was glued watching this today, but missed some apparently.

 

[Jewels53]

TAMPA — Saying he’s responsible for the grisly murders of his girlfriend and her two young children, Edward Covington told a judge Thursday he should sentence him to death.

“My life means nothing to me,” Covington said. “My life died on May 10,” the day before the killings in 2008.

Declaring he wanted to put an end to the suffering endured by his victims’ family, Covington upended his own trial by firing his public defenders and saying he wants to represent himself and plead guilty to murdering Lisa Freiberg, 26, and her children, Zachary, 7, and Heather Savannah, 2.

http://tbo.com/news/crime/triple-mu...fires-lawyers-wants-to-plead-guilty-20141023/

 

[LAMARQ]

Let's hope this monster hasn't changed his mind since yesterday. What time was court to begin today?