OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A judge in Osceola County sentenced a man convicted of killing two Kissimmee police officers to death on Friday.
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It’s been nearly five years since Kissimmee police officers Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Sam Howard were killed in the line of duty.
In 2019, Everett Miller, a Marine Corp. veteran, was convicted of their murders. Three years later he has now been sentenced to death for the crimes.
“Five years and we finally have justice,” Baxter’s widow Sadia Baxter said.
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The death penalty was unanimously recommended by a jury.
Moments after the sentencing was read, Sadia Baxter, with her two young daughters by her side, said she forgives Miller.
“We forgive Everett Miller, even though what he did was not right, we forgive because these girls deserve to live a happy life with no hate,” she said.
READ: Man convicted of killing 2 Kissimmee police officers to be sentenced Friday
While Baxter said the sentencing does provide some relief, it is not a day to celebrate and will never bring the two men home to their families.
“The girls still don’t have their daddy ... they continue to have day-to-day struggles, but I continue to ask for prayers,” Baxter said.
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Miller’s attorneys expect to file an appeal of the judge’s decision sometime next week.
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