Man indicted for murder in slaying of Sarasota girl

Six-year-old Coralrose Fullwood was murdered two years ago.

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- A Sarasota County grand jury has indicted a 27-year-old man in the rape and slaying of 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood two years ago.

Prosecutor Lon Arend said Thursday there hasn't been a decision on seeking the death penalty for Patrick Dewayne Murphy, but an indictment for first-degree murder keeps that option open.

Murphy was already in prison on unrelated charges when he was linked to Coralrose's slaying by DNA evidence last month.

The girl's body was found in the woods blocks from her North Port home on Sept. 17, 2006.

Detectives still believe other people were involved.

Murphy also is charged with capital sexual battery. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney yet to represent him on the new charges.

• Background stories on Coralrose Fullwood

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