Our previous story on Harrell Braddy generated numerous comments and can be read by clicking on the archives to the right (Should Harrell Franklin Braddy Be Fed to the Gators? 7-18-07) A Miami-Dade jury has reassembled in court 8-28, a month after jurors convicted Harrell Braddy of first-degree murder for tossing 5 year old Quatisha Maycock into the Everglades to be eaten by alligators. Only one issue is before the jury. Should Braddy be executed for murder.Braddy is a 57-year-old felon. The jury will learn more about Braddy then what was revealed during his trial for murder of 5-year-old Quatisha Maycock and the kidnapping and attempted murder of her mother, Shandelle. Assistant State Attorney Abbe Rifkin plans to educate the jury about Braddy's extensive criminal record. Braddy has tried to kill before in the eyes of the prosecution.
Defense attorney Terry Lenamon will likely provide evidence of Braddy's subsequent reform and his involvement in his church. (Is this where Rev. J.J. chimes in with his two cents?) Circuit Judge Leonard Glick will also be presented testimony from Braddy's family who will be hurt by his execution. (See previous comments from supporters of Braddy in previous archive thread.)
The sentencing phase of trial was delayed Monday when juror Jose Ravelo revealed that since the end of the first trial, he had been charged with felony littering. Judge Leonard Glick promptly dismissed Ravelo from the jury. A second juror was also dismissed because he is enrolled in the police academy in Broward. The juror would miss too much time to qualify for certification if he continues to attend the trial. (Perhaps L.S. can shed light on this juror.)
There remains one more alternate juror.
Expect plenty of testimony about how Braddy has bettered himself in jail. He apparently has completed paralegal studies and professes his new found Christian faith. Braddy's family will no doubt be devastated by his execution. Is that enough to over come the heinous nature of this crime?
8-31-07 Update:Harrell Braddy's family testified Wednesday in a desperate attempt to try to save him from execution. Braddy has spent nearly 22 of the past 23 years in prison. Braddy's children and brothers acknowledged under cross exam that they barely know him. One such witness was Braddy's daughter, Alexis, 22. Her father was in prison when she was born. Alexis met him in a prison visitation room. Most of her contact with Braddy has been by telephone.
Harrell Braddy Jr., (Braddy's son) testified that his father was a good dad until he was 11 and went to prison. Assistant State Attorney Abbe Rifkin gently cross examined Braddy's son. Braddy's brothers Irwin and Thomas also testified how they would be "devastated" by Braddy's execution. Rifkin elicited from cross examination that Braddy had been raised in a loving family.
The families testimony is in contrast to the corrections officer's testimony that Braddy choked him during an escape. Braddy pleaded guilty to the 1984 escape and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Braddy was released on parole in 1997. He went back to prison in 1998 for killing five year old Quatisha Maycock and tried to kill her mother, Shandelle. The prosecution will ask for the death penalty as testimony in front of Judge Glick comes to a conclusion.
Update 9-1-07: Harrell Braddy's 85-year-old mother could not hold back the tears as she learned that the jury voted 11 to 1 to recommend the death penalty. Braddy's face revealed no emotion as the jury's decision was read. Assistant State Attorney Abbe Rifkin had argued hard in closing for the death penalty because of Braddy's record and because of his torturing Quatisha Maycock. "We know he commits violent felonies... This is a guy who cannot live in the community without hurting someone,'' Rifkin told the jury.
Rifkin bombarded the jury with Braddy's history of felony convictions (attempted murder of a corrections officer, kidnapping an elderly couple, attempted murder and kidnapping of Shandelle Maycock). The imagery of Quatisha cruel death was etched in the jurors minds. (The medical examiner testified that the Quatisha was still alive when alligators bit her head and stomach.)
Braddy's defense attorney, Terence Lenamon, (perhaps a reader of Legal Pub) questioned the mechanism of how and when Quatisha died. He argued that she may have suffered the fatal injury when her motherand her jumped out of Braddy's car. Lenamon refuted Rifkin's argument that Braddy planned for the child to die. He questioned why only one detective said that Braddy said he had to eliminate the little girl as a witness. Rather, Lenamon claimed it was more probably all a "horrible mistake." He also told the jury, ''You have the right to say no more killing.'' (In a way, the jury just did.)Braddy's ultimate fate is now in the hands of Circuit Judge Leonard Glick. He will likely follow the jury's recommendation.
Update 10-24 07 : To no one's surprise, Harrell Franklin Braddy, who was convicted of murder for leaving a 5-year-old girl to be eaten alive by alligators in the Everglades, was sentenced to death last week by Judge Leonard Glick. Potential appeals will be exhausted before any exectution is carried out.
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54 comments:
Great update. My opinion has not changed. Death is too good for this dude.
Jack
I would vote to throw him to the gators. Is that really an option?
Honalora
I think the jury must choose between life in prison and death. Then the Judge ultimately decides if he is going to take the juries recommendation.
Jill
Braddy looks reformed in his new suit. Great article.
P.B.
He will get life because he has reformed. And I can not disagree with that decision because he has taken steps over the last nine years to improve himself.
Hillary
Faith is not enough to escape death in this case. He can plead his case with his maker.
Unimaginably horrible as his crime was, I can't go with the death penalty. Ever.
I don't believe that the State should provide for his education (a paralegal! Courtesy of the State!)He should be miserable, every day of his life. I hope he has fear, regret, boredom, and exhaustion as his constant companions. I hope he never sees a sunrise, or a star-filled night sky; I hope he never feels the rain, or the wind, on his face. May his newfound faith (??) provide him wisdom, compassion, and grace in accepting lifetime incarceration.
(and could we get more information on felony littering??!)
Colleency, felony littering surprised me too. I believe that dumping trash in certain places is "felony littering." L.S. would know better since I believe it is in his jurisdiction.
Where is the BRaddy bunch of supporters now?
So far, the sentencing is on schedule and not real surprises that I can report to you, Pubmeister.
G.S.
Jurors did hear about the past attempted murder by Braddy. But so far, no surprises.
Most comprehensive update on Harrell Braddy sentencing on the web. Thanks!
Thanks for your coverage of the sentencing hearing. Enjoy your long weekend. The jury made the right recommendation!
Rodney K.
Fantastic job on the sentencing hearing of Harrell Franklin Braddy.
Yelton S.
The Braddy Bunch is here we are still here. I am not going anywhere and I will remain on his team death sentence or not.
To Loyal to the End,
Your unconditional love and support is a valuable comodity.Even people who do evil things deserve to have such devotion and unconditional love.
Please feel free to keep us posted on Mr. Braddy's legal course and best of luck to you in the course of your own personal life.
Love is nice. It can be blind. But there can be no mercy for the crimes committed!
Would crocs eat him?.
In any case, I was surprised about Colleency hate coments, fortunatelly she's (he?) is not in the nazi era.
Jaime
Jaime, not sure about crocs, I think they are salt water. But aligators here in Florida would make fast work of him!
Harry from Florida
he should be burned alive and while being burned should be chopped with a machete starting from his feet up...just want this devil killed slowly and menacingly like how he killed the little angel...i forgot, before he gets burned, his scrotum should be removed using scissors so ke could feel the pain a mother is hundred times suffering right now
people like these have no place in the world...they should be killed instantly...I would say slow killing and showed on TV...so others will be afraid to follow or even think of doing devilish acts again...
Harrell Franklin Braddy is a man. He is not the devil. He is not a beast. He has shown remorse. He has tried to repent.
Braddy is not the same man who committed those crimes almost 10 years ago.
His life should be spared. He should have a chance to continue to reform. May God bless you
J.J.
You are so right, J.J. Congratulations on having the courage to speak out against the death penalty. I am convinced that this man and all others are capable of reform. With proper education, treatment and government assistance, men like Harrell Franklin Braddy are capable of eventually returning to society and leading productive lives.
Hillary P.
I agree with Hillary. Let's stop this execution before it is too late.
Tonya
Count me in the J.J., Hillary and Tonya camp.
No reason why a man can not change and reform if trained properly.
Bertha
Update 10-24 07 : To no one's surprise, Harrell Franklin Braddy, who was convicted of murder for leaving a 5-year-old girl to be eaten alive by alligators in the Everglades, was sentenced to death last week by Judge Leonard Glick. Potential appeals will be exhausted before any exectution is carried out.
My guess is execution is at least 5 years away...
My guess is once we Democrats have control of the White house, courts and Congress this barbaric custom of capital punishment shall be history!
I agree! Step by step!
Hillary P.
I think that God can move mountains. We shall have great news in the next fall elections. It may take some time to undo the last two terms, but the future for capital punishment looks real dim.
J.J.
Good point J.J.
Rommie
Politics can change the landscape of the courts over time!
Your vote does count!
Harrell Franklin Braddy will go down in history as the most misunderstood man ever. He really is a kind gentle person underneath his rough exterior. He is a product of being raised in a bad environment.
With a little help and guidance, he could become a good citizen.
Lorie
Coulda ...
Shoulda....
But is not.
Death sentence is too kind for this beast!
The sooner this life ends, the better ...
Reform is still within reach!
Hillary
Dead man walking. Mr. Braddy, like Earl Wes Berry before you, your time of reckoning, right or wrong, approaches.
Seeker
I have an idea. All of you who are against the death penalty should volunteer to take one of these "reformed" criminals into your home and live with them. Walk the walk people. And when they murder your little ones or commit some other horrible atrocity, because they will, I want to hear you tell me again how they can be reformed. I'm always amazed at how little value is placed on the lives of the victims, but oh, the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment...PLEASE! Tell that to the mother of the little girl eaten alive by alligators.
I do that very thing... I help reform criminals through the lord. I also give them a place to stay and feed them.
My friend, I walk the walk. When judgment day comes, do you think you can talk your way out of your position with our Savior?
J.J.
Absolutely JJ, I have no fear of judgment day, I belong to the Lord. And He said, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matt. 18:6. You can never convince me that the people who commit these horrendous crimes can be rehabilitated. They are filled with evil and are followers of Satan. I don't want to argue with you - if you want to try and rehabilitate them more power to you. Just keep them away from the rest of us because statistics show these sexual predators, who torture and kill will continue to do so every chance they get.
Celeste
Celeste, some are sick and can't be helped or reformed. Some can. The trick is to know which ones can and which ones can not.
I believe if Obama wins, the death penalty will be abolished. He will appoint like minded individuals. So we better start spending money on reform, cause if we don't, the wrong ones are going to be let out of jail!
J.J.
Now that the trial is all said and done, I can speak my peace...
As part of the investigative team, I was there through it all. During his initial questioning by the police Braddy had his chances to repent for his sins and tell us where he had disposed of Quatisha. Instead, he decided to stall for time and try to escape from our interview room. It took us nearly three days to find what was left of her lifeless body floating in a canal along alligator alley.
As we pulled her from the dark cold water, the M.E. speculated that based on the level of post mortem changes she demonstrated, she had probably died not more than 24 to 48 hours before. Braddy had his chance to come clean and save this poor innocent victim before the gators got her.
I don't know what the Lord will do to him on judgment day, but I do know that in this life you reap what you sow. He had no mercy on Quatisha, so now there should be no mercy on him. Let's send him before the Lord to decide after that.
Mr. Investigator,
So, what you are saying is that if he had cooperated earlier, the girl might have been found alive?
Bob in Tampa
That is exactly what I'm saying. Braddy spent almost 24 hours stalling and trying to find a way to escape from our interview room. All that time, Quatisha was in the water, alone and waiting for the gators to get her.
When Braddy finally came clean and told us he had thrown her in the water, he said he did it so that God would decide if she should live or die. I say let's let God decide if Braddy should go to heaven or hell, all we need to do now is introduce them.
Was the little girl conscious when she was in the water? Didn't she have a head injury prior to being put in the water, or not?
Larry in Gurnee
Please allow me to once and for all clarify some of the facts surrounding this crime for all those who care to know: (I present them in no specific order)
About Mr. Braddy –
• He became a paralegal before he murdered Quatisha.
• He claimed to be “Born Again” and “Saved” before he murdered Quatisha.
• For those of you who never stopped to ask how they knew each other… He met Quatisha’s mother at the church that he was attending after being released from prison in 1997.
• At the time of the murder, Mr. Braddy was married, yet his rehabilitated morals still allowed him to pursue Quatisha’s mother with romantic intentions.
• Quatisha’s mother rejected Mr. Braddy’s romantic advances – that is what precipitated the kidnapping. Braddy became incensed by the rejection.
• Mr. Braddy admitted to throwing Quatisha into the water – she did not try to run away and somehow “fall into” the swamp.
• Mr. Braddy admitted to throwing Quatisha into the water because he thought that he had killed her mother when he choked her and he sought to dispose of Quatisha.
• Mr. Braddy said that he threw Quatisha into the water so that God could decide if she should live or die. – So I guess now it is all God’s fault…
About Quatisha –
• She was only 5 years old when she was murdered by Mr. Braddy.
• She did not try to run away and somehow fall into the swamp.
• She was alive and alert when she was thrown into the water by Mr. Braddy.
• She was alone and alive in the water, for nearly a day before the gators attacked her.
• She was alive when the gator seized her by her arm and ripped it off at the shoulder – in what I can only imagine was the most horrifying experience anyone can possibly have.
• She died terrorized and alone because Mr. Braddy refused to tell investigators where he had disposed of her.
I hope that this serves to provide you all with a clearer picture of the torment suffered by this poor innocent child at the hands of this heinous sociopath who demonstrated nothing but callousness and contempt for Quatisha when he was interrogated…
But yet, God let him do it. Why?
Braddy was on his way to reform. On the way he fell in love. When his love was rejected it sent him back into an illogical spiral toward hell.
By the time of his sentencing, Braddy was on his way back up to respectability.
This man should had been executed immediately. Don't talk about reform as this man is beyond that and murders like this can't be reformed. That poor blessed little girl, only 5 years old facing that terrible fate and enduring the pain, fright and death of what he did. Too tired of these goody-doers who preach one thing as long as its not someone in their family or one they love that was brutalized like this.
Toss him to the alligators too, this scumbag. An eye for an eye.
Stop crying over this reformers or as another poster said, let him live with you. Sleep well.
Braddy used bad judgment. He made a mistake or two.
Doesn't mean he is evil...
Don't rag on Terrence for doing his job. He is just a lawyer putting on his pants one leg at a time like every other mortal.
Calling it your job don't make it right.
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