(Scypre.com) – In Florida, a convicted murderer displayed violent behavior towards his lawyer during a courtroom session on Monday, where he faced the possibility of receiving the death penalty.
Joseph Zieler, who was recently found guilty of the murder and rape of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter Lisa Story in Cape Coral over two decades ago, was captured on video signaling his attorney, seemingly attempting to communicate. Instead, he unexpectedly struck his lawyer in the face with his elbow, as reported by Fox 4.
The incident prompted two bailiffs to swiftly subdue Zieler and bring him to the ground, while the judge inquired about the well-being of his attorney. “I used to box,” the lawyer remarked. “I’ve endured far more forceful blows than that one.”
Zieler received dual death sentences for both murders, with the judge emphasizing that he had “relinquished his right to life” prior to announcing the verdict. According to his attorney, Zieler intends to appeal the decision.
The convicted murderer appeared in court with the aim of obtaining a retrial before launching the assault on his lawyer, Kevin Shirley. In an interview with Fox 4, Shirley explained, “It seemed like he didn’t want our conversation to be recorded by the microphones. So he motioned for me to approach, and as I leaned down, he struck me.” Shirley commended the prompt response of the bailiffs, ensuring there would be no further threat. The judge dismissed Zieler’s plea for a retrial.
During Zieler’s sentencing, the family and friends of the victims shared how the murders from 1990 had irrevocably transformed their lives. Jan Cornell, Robin Cornell’s mother, expressed at the hearing, “In their case, I needed to be their voice. I couldn’t let either of them down. I wasn’t there that night to save them or at least help one of them escape. For 33 years, I wasn’t going to let them down.” State Attorney Amira Fox, who dedicated years to working on the case, remarked that witnessing the case’s resolution gave her “chills.”
“I moved here in 1990, and this crime had just occurred. I was a young prosecutor then, and it stayed with me all these years,” Fox shared. “To witness justice being served 33 years later, I felt a chilling sensation in the courtroom.”