Steven Lorenzo represented himself in court and fought for death penalty. In a bizarre statement to court, he stated that "the sooner I get executed... the quicker I can find a new body and return again."

On Friday, a man who confessed to the murders of two gay men in 2003 thanked a Florida judge for giving him the death penalty.

Scott Schweickert and Steven Lorenzo were accused of seperately luring Jason Galehouse to Lorenzo’s house in 2003. The pair first killed Galehouse and then dismembered him before scattering his remains in Tampa dumpsters. The pair invited Wachholtz into the home and drugged and murdered him. They left his body wrapped in a sheet inside his car, in a random lot. Galehouse's corpse was never found.

Schweickert pled guilty in 2016 to two counts first-degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment in exchange for his testimony against Lorenzo. Lorenzo had previously denied the charges but changed his mind last November and pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. He was also allowed to testify against Lorenzo.

Both mothers of Lorenzo's victims testified during Lorenzo’s sentencing trial. They both said that he should be sentenced to death row.

Pam Williams, Galehouse's mother said (via Law&Crime) "I don't own a grave." I don't own a tombstone. You scumbag, all I have is hamburger meat ground up in the ground. You are exactly that. As far as I am concerned, you should already be dead. You made me go through hell."

Ruth Wachholtz, Michael's mother, said, "What he did before killing him should be done for him, eyefor an eye." "He lived for 20 years, but Michael has not. At taxpayers' expense, no less. This has to stop.

Judge Christopher Sabella allowed Lorenzo to speak before his sentencing was announced in court on Friday.

Lorenzo thanked his defense team first, then said he had "no animosity” toward the prosecution. "This lifetime, I am the bad guy. You're the good one." "Maybe in the next life, the roles will be reversed," he said to his opponent, before thanking the judge for his patience throughout.

"I seek the death penalty. It is in my best interests. He said that I will be living in a much more comfortable environment than I would in the federal systems, and that I will not be on death row. Although it may seem selfish, I have lived in a private cell for 5 years. I will now be able to live on death row in my own private cell. At my age, comfort is what I seek. I also want privacy. Although it may sound selfish, this is the truth. You live for today and not for the past.

He continued, "It's possible I could spend 10-15 years on death row, which I believe is insane, but it's just Euthanasia." "I already have the death sentence. Everyone in this room has one."

Lorenzo stated that he would "try to speed up this process" to avoid having to wait "15 years", because he had better things to do.

He continued, "The quicker I am euthanized as far as my concerns, the faster that I can get a new body and come again, a fresh, new body, that's what I see it," he said. "We're eternal beings. I have better things to do than spend 15 years in prison or on death row.

However, the judge made it clear that he did not place any weight on Lorenzo’s statement.

"I don’t know if your words are reverse psychology or not, but I do care. I won’t consider what you want in issuing mine sentence," he stated. Lorenzo responded, "I’m looking forward to getting it over with." It's been five long years.

Judge Sabella then brought up testimony of victims' mothers. He noted that their testimony was consistent with the fact that they had waited 20 years for justice. Today is the end of that long wait.

Sabella said, "In the words Ms. Pam Williams Ti condanno an morte,' which translates to I sentence to death." "That is the punishment that you deserve for your horrific crimes."

Lorenzo said, "Thanks, your honor. I appreciate it." The judge then concluded, "May God have mercy upon your soul." The murderer replied, "My soul's fine, thank-you sir."

Lorenzo has still 30 days to appeal against his sentence.

-----------------------------------

Title: Killer Thanks Judge Who Sentenced Him to Death Over 'Horrific' Murders of Two Gay Men In 2003
Sourced From: toofab.com/2023/02/24/killer-steven-lorenzo-thanks-judge-sentenced-him-to-death-over-horrific-murders-two-gay-men/
Published Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:52:09 +0000

Read More