Joseph Zieler was sentenced to death for sexually assaulting and murdering an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter in 1990.
A sentencing hearing in Florida descended into chaos on Monday when convicted murderer Joseph Zieler lashed out violently, physically assaulting his own lawyer in the process.
The 61-year-old Zieler was previously tried and found guilty in Lee County, Florida, of sexually assaulting and murdering 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her 32-year-old babysitter Lisa Story in 1990. Over the course of his trial, he has frequently engaged in belligerent behavior, at various points lobbing insults at Cornell's mother, flashing the middle finger to a camera, and behaving so erratically during testimony that a judge had to remove the jurors from the courtroom.
A stock image. A sentencing hearing in Florida descended into chaos on Monday when convicted murderer Joseph Zieler lashed out violently, physically assaulting his own lawyer in the process.Zieler's outburst was short-lived, as he was swiftly tackled to the ground by the court's bailiffs. Reports indicate that Shirley did not appear terribly phased by the incident, sitting back down soon after and telling others that he was fine.
A jury previously voted 10-2 in May to convict Zieler for the murder of Cornell and Story, recommending that he receive the death penalty. Judge Robert J. Branning on Monday formalized that recommendation, officially sentencing the 61-year-old to death.The cases of Cornell and Story had gone cold for decades, with the two victims having been killed in May 1990, discovered by Cornell's mother when she returned home from a trip.
Over the course of the trial, Zieler declined to let family members come and speak on his behalf, insisting on his innocence.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Junkyard Gem: 1990 Geo StormA 1990 Geo Storm, based on the Isuzu Impulse, found in a Colorado wrecking yard.
Read more »
Jurors who convicted the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman will now weigh a potential death sentenceJurors who convicted the gunman in the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history began hearing arguments Monday on whether he should be put to death.
Read more »
Jurors who convicted the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman will now weigh a potential death sentenceJurors who convicted the gunman in the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history began hearing arguments Monday on whether he should be put to death.
Read more »
Jurors who convicted the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman will now weigh a potential death sentenceJurors who convicted the gunman in the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history began hearing arguments Monday on whether he should be put to death.
Read more »