Crime & SafetyLocal News

Man who killed 11-year-old girl dies in Florida prison

Sarasota, Florida — According to the state Attorney General’s Office, a man who was convicted of abducting, raping, and killing an 11-year-old Florida girl as she walked home in 2004 died in prison on Monday.
Joseph Smith was on Florida’s death row for killing Carlie Brucia in Sarasota. Officials said the cause of death was not known.
Smith was captured on video surveillance leading the child by the wrist as she walked past a car wash in Sarasota.
He was awaiting a resentencing hearing, which had been scheduled for next year, the Sarasota News-Herald reported. The Florida Supreme Court ruled that juries must be unanimous in death penalty cases, but the 2005 jury voted 10-2.
“While nothing can bring back Carlie, we are grateful that her family, her friends, and the entire Sarasota community will finally have closure and will not have to endure any further court proceedings to bring Smith to justice,” State Attorney Ed Brodsky said in a statement.

Lowell Bowen

From the time he was 8 years old Lowell knew he wanted to be on TV. Well, as people say one thing leads to another, that's how Lowell started his career in the news industry. Lowell has been part of The South Florida Daily since the very beginning.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button