Post by CCADP on Aug 16, 2005 6:25:22 GMT -5
Thomas Rigterink Could Be Sent To Death Row if Convicted in the 2003 Double-Slayings
By Jason Geary
The Ledger
BARTOW -- Lawyers began questioning prospective jurors Monday in the double-murder trial of a Winter Haven man accused of stabbing Allison Sousa and Jeremy Jarvis to death Sept. 24, 2003.
Thomas Rigterink, 33, faces two counts of first-degree murder and could be sent to Florida's death row if convicted as charged.
The trial is scheduled to last at least three weeks. Much of this week is expected to be spent picking a jury.
Investigators say Rigterink's brutal attack began inside a warehouse space where Jarvis lived, which was part of an office complex on County Road 542 and Jimmy Lee Road, near Winter Haven.
Sousa worked as a secretary in the nearby offices of Total Construction Management Inc.
Rigterink's lawyers contend their client may have been at the office complex, but wasn't responsible for the deaths of Jarvis, 24, and Sousa, 23.
However, Rigterink told detectives during an Oct. 16, 2003, interview that he had "snapshot" memories of the attack, court records show.
Rigterink went to Jarvis' warehouse unit to buy some marijuana, according to a transcript of an interview with investigators.
After Jarvis reached under the couch to get some drugs, Rigterink said the next thing he remembered was being covered in blood, holding a 10-inch hunting knife and struggling with Jarvis.
Investigators say Jarvis ran to the nearby offices of Total Construction for help, and Rigterink attacked Sousa as she attempted to help Jarvis.
Jason Geary can be reached at 863-533-9079.
By Jason Geary
The Ledger
BARTOW -- Lawyers began questioning prospective jurors Monday in the double-murder trial of a Winter Haven man accused of stabbing Allison Sousa and Jeremy Jarvis to death Sept. 24, 2003.
Thomas Rigterink, 33, faces two counts of first-degree murder and could be sent to Florida's death row if convicted as charged.
The trial is scheduled to last at least three weeks. Much of this week is expected to be spent picking a jury.
Investigators say Rigterink's brutal attack began inside a warehouse space where Jarvis lived, which was part of an office complex on County Road 542 and Jimmy Lee Road, near Winter Haven.
Sousa worked as a secretary in the nearby offices of Total Construction Management Inc.
Rigterink's lawyers contend their client may have been at the office complex, but wasn't responsible for the deaths of Jarvis, 24, and Sousa, 23.
However, Rigterink told detectives during an Oct. 16, 2003, interview that he had "snapshot" memories of the attack, court records show.
Rigterink went to Jarvis' warehouse unit to buy some marijuana, according to a transcript of an interview with investigators.
After Jarvis reached under the couch to get some drugs, Rigterink said the next thing he remembered was being covered in blood, holding a 10-inch hunting knife and struggling with Jarvis.
Investigators say Jarvis ran to the nearby offices of Total Construction for help, and Rigterink attacked Sousa as she attempted to help Jarvis.
Jason Geary can be reached at 863-533-9079.