Feb 5, 2009 3:43 pm US/Eastern
Jimmy Ryce Killer Appeals Again To Fla. High Court
9-Year Old Jimmy Ryce Disappeared Sept. 11, 1995
He Was Kidnapped, Raped and Murdered By Juan Carlos Chavez
Chavez Was Sentenced To Death In 1998
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
-
-
Juan Carlos Chavez, the convicted killer of Jimmy Ryce
CBS
Juan Carlos Chavez, a Cuban immigrant sentenced to death for kidnapping, raping and murdering 9-year-old Jimmy Ryce has appealed once again for a new hearing.
The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday. The justices denied an initial appeal from Chavez.
His lawyer, Andrea Norgard, argued a defense witness was erroneously prevented from testifying at a prior appeal hearing. She said the witness is an expert on differences between the U.S. and Cuban legal systems.
Assistant Attorney General Scott Browne told the justice the witness lacked credentials to be an expert.
Jimmy Ryce was kidnapped at gunpoint after getting off a school bus near his home in the Redland in rural Miami-Dade 14-years ago. Jimmy's dismembered body was eventually found in containers filled with cement.
A law was passed bearing Jimmy's name. It keeps sexual predators in custody even after their sentences are completed if they are found to be still a danger to the community.
Jimmy's parents Don and Claudine Ryce created the Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction.
Claudine Ryce, who recently passed away at the age of 66 of an apparent heart attack, often spoke about violence, victims' rights and the plight of missing children, along with her husband.
Claudine use to say that Chavez, "has lived longer on Death Row than Jimmy did in life."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
