BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A jury of 12 decided unanimously Thursday to recommend a death sentence for a Brevard County woman convicted of murdering her housekeeper. If the judge agrees, 44-year-old Margaret Allen could become the second woman on Florida's Death Row.
For more than two years, Tiffany Cole, a double murderer from Duvall County, has been the only woman on Florida's Death Row. With Thursday afternoon's verdict, there is a good chance that Allen will soon join Cole.
"By a vote of 12 to 0, advise and recommend to the court that it impose the death penalty on Margaret Ann Allen," a jury member read Thursday.
Allen didn't move a muscle as the jury recommendation was read. After less than two hours of deliberating, the 10 women and two men came back with a unanimous decision. They believe Allen should die for her crimes.
In their closing arguments, prosecutors told jurors Allen deserved the death penalty because she didn't just kill housekeeper Wenda Wright, she tortured her by tying her up, beating her, pouring liquids on her face, and harassing her about stolen money, before strangling her.
"Heinous, atrocious, cruel, evil, pitiless," Asst. State Attorney Russ Bausch said.
Allen's attorney argued she had been beaten by boyfriends, suffered brain damage and should be sentenced to life in prison instead.
"Head trauma, head trauma, over and over and over again. That's got to come into play here," defense attorney Frank Bankowitz said.
After the verdict, Allen's family questioned how the jury could reach a life and death decision so quickly.
"She shouldn't have gotten what they just gave her. The jury was not out for an hour and half to come back with the death penalty for someone who has helped a lot of people," said April Smith, Allen's aunt.
Allen's attorney has one more opportunity to plead for her life, but he'll have to convince the judge that he should cast aside the unanimous decision of 12 jurors. If she does go Death Row, Allen will have to contend with a 6-by-9-foot cell and virtual isolation until execution day.
The judge set sentencing for a later date.
Previous Stories: September 22, 2010: Death Penalty Phase Begins For Housekeeper Killer September 22, 2010: Woman Who Murdered Housekeeper May Face Death September 20, 2010: Trial Nears End For Woman Facing Death Row
WFTV
