Couey returns to court

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

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John Couey is seeking a different judge, claiming the current judge in his case is prejudiced.

John Couey made an appearance in a Citrus County courtroom Thursday afternoon, trying to get a new judge in his case.

Couey is accused of killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford of Homosassa earlier this year.

Couey's attorneys once again asked Judge Ric Howard to recuse himself from the case, claiming he showed prejudice by not giving them enough time to prepare. The judge denied that request.

Couey remains in custody at the Citrus County detention facility. His trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 6.

The Jessica Lunsford Act will require sex offenders to register in a national database.

The state is seeking the death penalty.

Meanwhile, in Washington, a bill named in memory of Lunsford is a step closer to becoming federal law.

The national Jessica Lunsford Act takes its cue from Florida's Lunsford Act, passed earlier this year. The national bill passed the House of Representatives and now heads to committee, and then to a vote on the Senate floor. If passed it will then head to the president's desk.

The Jessica Lunsford Act tightens up registration requirements for convicted sex offenders. The bill will create a national database of the offenders as well and increase penalties for failure to register.