JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a death sentence in the so-called "Craigslist Killer" case.
David Kelsey Sparre was convicted in the July 2010 slaying of Tiara Pool, a Navy wife whose husband was on deployment at the time. Sparre stabbed her 89 times in what he admitted was a thrill killing.
Sparre met her after responding to her Craigslist post seeking a male companion.
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At trial, Sparre, of Waynesville, Ga., refused attempts to submit evidence of his mental illness and drug abuse issues in his defense.
During the penalty phase, Sparre told his lawyer he didn't want any mitigating evidence presented and didn't want family members called to beg for his life.
The jury came back with a quick 12-0 death sentence recommendation.
After his conviction, Sparre sent a former girlfriend a letter from jail, saying it was a thrill killing.
"I wanted to try something just to see how it felt," Sparre wrote. "I did it for the rush. ... I enjoyed it and hope to do it again."
Sparre's appeal lawyers said the judge had an obligation to let the jury hear about Sparre's mental health issues before imposing a death sentence.
The high court agreed that guidelines are needed for cases where defendants refuse a defense but disagreed that Sparre should be resentenced given his admission.
More appeals are expected.