Jury: Woman Who Killed Couple Should Die
Two Co-Defendants Already Face Death Penalty
POSTED: Thursday, November 29, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jurors who convicted a woman of kidnapping, robbery and murder returned to a Duval County courtroom and recommended she be put to death.
Tiffany Cole is the fourth person convicted of taking Carol and Reggie Sumner from their St. Nicholas home in 2005, robbing them and then burying them alive in a shallow grave in southeast Georgia.
Of the three others convicted, the man prosecutors considered the ringleader -- Michael Jackson -- is already on death row. A jury has recommended that co-conspirator Allen Wade also be sentenced to death.
Bruce Nixon, who testified for the state against the others, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing.
The court was filled with emotional testimony during Thursday's sentencing hearing, bringing convicted killer Cole to tears at times.
During Cole's hearing, several relatives of the victims took the stand and told the jury how Cole should pay for the crime she committed.
"I miss you and love you dearly. You will always be a part of my heart," Reggie Sumner's sister, Jean Clark, said in court. "I grasp to the memories of your nurturing love and to the pictures of you. This I'll hold dear until the time we meet again. Carol and Reggie are gone but not forgotten."
She told the jury Cole deserves the harshest punishment for her crime.
However, Cole's family said the woman was led by Jackson, and it begged for mercy.
"She always had everybody's well-being. She always tried to make sure that she looked out for you and you did the right thing, even if she was getting in trouble herself. She would try to make sure that she gave advice to you to make sure that you didn’t make the same mistake she did," said Cole's cousin, Amber Jones.
Previous Stories: - October 20, 2007: Jury Finds Tiffany Cole Guilty In Double Murder
- October 17, 2007: Jury Hears New Evidence In Murder Trial
- October 16, 2007: Second Suspect In Couple's Death On Trial
- August 29, 2007: Couple's Killer Given To 2 Death Sentences
- May 31, 2007: Jury Recommends 2 Death Sentences For Couple's Killer
- May 8, 2007: Man Found Guilty In Couple's Abduction, Murder
- May 4, 2007: Defendant: 'I Didn't Know Couple Would Be Killed'
- May 3, 2007: State Calls Star Witness In Double Murder Trial
- May 2, 2007: Disturbing Audio Played In Double Murder Trial
- May 1, 2007: Prosecutors: 'Ringleader' Made 911 Call Posing As Dead Man
- April 30, 2007: Second Man Goes On Trial In Couple's Slaying
- September 15, 2005: Two Suspects In Missing Couple's Murders Extradited
- August 12, 2005: Missing Couple Murder Suspects To Be Tried In Florida
- July 26, 2005: Police: Missing Couple's Graves Dug Several Days Before Being Buried Alive
- July 20, 2005: Medical Examiner: Missing Couple Buried Alive
- July 19, 2005: Family: Missing Couple's Kindness Led To Their Believed Death
- July 17, 2005: Police Recover Bodies Believed To Be Missing Couple
- July 16, 2005: Police: Missing Couple Believed Dead
- July 15, 2005: Police Speaking With 'Persons Of Interest' In Search For Missing Couple
- July 13, 2005: Police Suspect Foul Play In Missing Handicapped Couple's Disappearance
- July 13, 2005: Missing Couple Feared Victims Of Foul Play
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.