Evidence released in Lunsford case

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

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Click here for an enlarged image of the documents.

New information has surfaced about evidence in the Jessica Lunsford case.

The latest copies of evidence became available Wednesday afternoon. They include the toxicology report and information about drug traces found in Lunsford's system.

John Couey is accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering the 9-year-old Homosassa girl in February.

Some people had speculated that Lunsford may have been under the influence of drugs during the crime, because in Couey's confession, he said she was quiet and didn't even fight when he buried her alive.

"I can't figure out why she didn't say nothing," said Couey. "Why didn't she beat on the walls? Why didn't she yell? She knew I was the only one in the room with her. It don't make no sense."

According to the medical examiner, two byproducts of cocaine were found in Lunsford's system during the autopsy. However, a prosecutor in the case says only trace amounts were found, which may be attributed to Lunsford touching something in Couey's bedroom that had cocaine on it.

Lunsford was buried alive on the property where she'd been held captive.

The prosecutor said the levels found were not consistent with someone being around heavy drug use for several days. That would seem to call into question Couey's claim that he was in a drug haze throughout the rape and murder.

Another document released was a letter written by Couey to Bill O'Reilly from the O'Reilly Factor. In the letter, he said three people were in the house at the time of the crime and one of them knew more than what he was saying. That letter was never mailed and was found in the trash.

Click here to e-mail Chris Hawes, the TV reporter for this story.