Vampire cult leader convicted of murdering Lake County couple apologizes to victims' families

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The vampire cult leader who was convicted of murdering a couple in 1996 was back in court seeking to get his life sentence reduced.

Rod Ferrell was 16-years-old when he was convicted of killing Richard Wendorf and Ruth Queen by beating them with a tire iron.

Ferrell was originally sentenced to death, but because of his age at the time of the murders, the courts gave him a sentence of life in prison.

The Supreme Court recently decided to give juvenile defendants a chance for less prison time.

During Tuesday's hearing, both sides discussed drug and alcohol usage and Ferrell's state of mind at the time of the crimes.

While the defense expert witness testified the defendant has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, the state claimed Ferrell has attempted to manipulate mental exams.

Ferrell took the stand Wednesday to apologize to the family members of the victims.

"I can not tell you how many nights over these decades that I have wished with all of my soul that I could take that night back, preventing this from happening," Ferrell said.

Ferrell said that over the years, he's found God and a good woman who has helped him become a better person.

Ferrell and his crew became known as the vampire cult because of their obsession with vampires and drinking blood. He also told people he was a 300-year-old vampire with special powers.

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