ORLANDO, Fla. – After deliberating for less than two days, a jury on Thursday recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for convicted killer Scott Nelson.
Nelson was found guilty June 28 of first-degree murder in the death of Winter Park caretaker Jennifer Fulford. He was also found guilty of kidnapping, carjacking and robbery.
In shocking testimony from the stand, he provided grave details about how he killed Fulford, 56, in September 2017.
During the sentencing phase of the five-week trial, Nelson took the stand on two different occasions and said he wanted to receive the death penalty.
"I am a homicidal maniac," Nelson said.
However, the jurors did not grant his request.
The jury returned from deliberating on the second day Thursday and Judge Keith White read their decision. Nelson sat at the defense table with his hands clasped and did not appear to react during the reading.
White asked Nelson if he had anything to say after the decision. Nelson inquired whether he can talk to his attorneys after sentencing "in regards to an appeal."
Fulford's family was not present during the verdict. Thursday would have been Fulford's 58th birthday and the family said they did not want to be present for the decision.
With this decision from the jury Nelson avoids the death penalty, which requires a unanimous recommendation. The state has requested Nelson serve four consecutive life sentences.
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