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3 jurors talk about King trial, verdict

Sarasota Herald Tribune

Michael King was found guilty of kidnapping, raping and killing Denise Amber Lee.

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By JACKIE BARRON

jbarron@wfla.com

Published: September 4, 2009

Updated: 09/04/2009 08:54 pm

Related Links

• Jury finds King guilty
• Background on the case
• Court hears Lee's 911 call

  Michael King

SARASOTA - It took a panel of five men and seven women less than three hours to reach the unanimous decision that Michael King deserves to die for his crimes.

Last Friday, the same jury convicted King of the 2008 kidnap, rape and murder of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee.

The death penalty vote serves as a recommendation for Judge Deno Economou, who will sentence King later this fall.

Minutes after handing down the decision, three female jurors agreed to talk with reporters about the three-week trial and the vote for death.

Philippa Steele started by reading a statement, "This was an extremely difficult decision to make. Our hearts go out to both families because we realize both have suffered."

Marcia Burns explained that today's deliberations focused on following the law and working to reach a consensus. She said, "It was not unanimous to start with."

All agreed on death by lethal injection just before 3 p.m.

Burns and Patricia O'Quinn pointed to Denise Lee's heart-wrenching, six-minute 911 call on King's cell phone while being hostage in the backseat of his car as critical to the case.

They credited the mother of two with having the inner strength to also leave behind her ring as evidence.

"Denise was an amazing woman to have the presence of mind to do the things that she did in the face of knowing what was about to happen to her," Burns said.

Lee's family echoed her admiration.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Rick Goff called his daughter his hero for fighting to the end even as King, 38, drove her to where he hollowed out a 4-foot hole to serve as Lee's grave.

"Denise did an awesome job putting him where he belongs in prison," Goff said to a crowd of cameras.

After the jury reached the decision, Nate Lee exited the courthouse with plans to go home and hold his boys, toddlers Noah and Adam.

We finally have justice for Denise," he said.

Denise Lee left them together in a crib when King surprised her inside her home. Nate Lee knows Denise left with King to protect the boys. "

Back inside the courtroom, juror Marcia Burns fought back tears as she struggled to describe how the trial has changed her life. "I look at life a little differently right now," she said. "You know the little things mean more."

Reporter Jackie Barron can be reached at (813) 221-5708.

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