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'I Did It,' Onstott Tells Detectives In Recording

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By THOMAS W. KRAUSE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

TAMPA - In a recorded conversation, David Lee Onstott can be heard in his own words telling Hillsborough County sheriff's detectives that he choked 13-year-old Sarah Michelle Lunde.

Onstott says he drank two 12-packs of beer and had smoked marijuana. He says he does not remember much about that night - including dumping Sarah's body - but does remember arguing with Sarah about her mother.

Several statements appear to confirm Onstott's guilt.

•"I did it."

•"I think I killed her."

•"I know I choked her."

For the first time, Onstott's statements have been released publicly. Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta previously ruled that they were not admissible as evidence in court and therefore would not be released until after the trial.

Sarah's mother, Kelly May, said she is glad the statements are now released. She wants everyone to hear them.

"Just because the jurors weren't allowed to hear it doesn't mean it does not exist," she said.

Over several days of interrogation, Onstott had signed papers agreeing to speak without an attorney. On one day, however, he said he would not sign any more forms. The detectives continued to question him anyway.

At another point, Onstott said he wanted to speak with his attorney. The detectives told him his mother was coming. They said if he spoke with his attorneys, the interviews likely would cease and he would not be able to speak with his mother.

Onstott said he would talk to his mother, not the attorney.

Ficarrotta said the detectives should not have continued to question him without allowing him access to his attorney. The jury did not hear the recorded statement.

On the recording, released Friday, Onstott says he went to the Lunde home in his girlfriend's car. He knocked on the door and Sarah was home. Sarah told him to open the door.

That's when the argument happened.

Onstott tells detectives he remembers choking her but nothing else. He says he and Sarah had argued before. Sarah did not approve of his seeing her mother, he says.

Through repeated questioning, Onstott says he does not remember striking Sarah or taking her to the fish pond where she was found. He does, however, say that he recognizes the fish pond when detectives show him a picture. He and his father had permission to dump construction waste there.

In court, prosecutors maintained that Onstott left a beer bottle on a table when he spoke to Sarah. Later, after her brother arrived home, Onstott returned and grabbed the beer before leaving.

In the recording, Onstott tells the detectives that he is sure the beer was in his hand when he returned to the home and Sarah's brother answered the door.
Detectives ask him repeatedly why this happened.

He says it was senseless. The detectives agree.

After the trial, State Attorney Mark Ober pointed out that Onstott's words on the tape are remarkably similar to the testimony of a jail deputy. The deputy testified that Onstott told him he choked Sarah after an argument.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Onstott, to hear David Lee Onstott's statement to law enforcement.

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