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Judge Sends Killer To Death Row

Man Convicted Of Christmas Day Rape, Murder Of Teen

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A judge on Friday sentenced Luther Douglas to death for the murder of a Northside teen.

Douglas, 27, was convicted of first-degree murder and sexual battery for the killing of 18-year-old Maryann Hobgood more than two years ago.

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Hobgood's body was found near a railroad track after prosecutors said Douglas forced himself on her, then beat her and then ran over her with his car on Christmas Day in 1999.

The jury had voted 11-1 in favor of the death penalty, and the judge sent Douglas to death row.

Investigators in the case had said Hobgood and Douglas were acquaintances.