Mark Lunsford, took the witness stand and spoke directly to the man convicted of killing his daughte

(17 Jul 2007) HEADLINE: Father says 'no mercy' for daughter's killer
CAPTION: Mark Lunsford, took the witness stand and spoke directly to the man convicted of killing his daughter, Jessica and asked the judge to sentence John Couey to death. (July 17)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
SOT ONLY
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[@robertkenny1201]

The fact that someone would ever do this to anyone especially a child has made me almost lose my faith in humanity.

[@maevedaly9084]

I know. Let alone he also tormented her by showing her the news that her family was looking for her 💔

[@eviem7534]

no parent should have to go through this. what a great man 💓

[@ambertracy5748]

This is a incomprehensible horror. No parent should go through something so horribly heartbreaking.. meant to mentally break a person. However .you walked through hell came out a stronger person, who changed future generations. I wish my childrens father was half the hero you are. Although i never say this when i see you at work. But thank you. Your.Story.Touched.My.Soul. #JesseLaw

[@alicia8086]

This so sad, i'm crying

[@EbonyJ-rt5bb]

😞

[@gracyn22]

Jessica had so many cases where she could’ve been saved but she wasn’t, all because while Jessica was stuck in that closet the police were investigating her own family. Rip

[@vcvortex6356]

The public was all over Mark and saying that he did it too. I can't imagine how that was for him.

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

To be fair how would anyone know who did it?

[@kingayy9267]

@benedictcumberbatch4275 The point is that the police's incorrect tunnel vision wasted hours/days that could and should have been spent canvassing the Lunsford's neighborhood and questioning people on the SO list, which could've potentially lead to the safe recovery of Jessica. Instead, she was dishonored repeatedly and buried alive while cops harassed her innocent father.

[@frankieledford8903]

Mark my heart goes out to you. This is so heartbreaking. You have always been a good Man and a good Father. God Bless you and your family.

[@queenofthecastle6916]

What a man ❤️ you are with your daughter now.. I hope you are both in eternal bliss together 🙏❤️😭

[@elliemariegreenfield5726]

Is he dead? He posted on his Facebook page a few days ago

[@Catsss1017]

The rapist died not the dad

[@snubull]

What ??

[@Sizzle-zv3cp]

He’s not dead shut up

[@AshlynnHolmes13]

In case anyone didn't actually research this case before commenting, she was not alone! She was with her grandparents. This man should've been locked away a long time ago but he wasn't. The police should've searched the entire residence this man was located in but they didn't. Jessica was still alive at that point. There were many opportunities to save Jessica but they failed. If she was left alone then yeah, not a great parenting decision. But she was not left alone! Research before you ignorantly berate a father who is a victim here as well.

[@shawnleider]

U wanna know something even crazier? I lived on the road next to there's and my house and all neighbors houses were searched twice. The killer was next door and never had his house searched WTF. They had to have refused to allow the deputies to search, and the cops didn't think this was a RED FLAG?

[@AshlynnHolmes13]

@@shawnleider Wow that is crazy!! Every time I listen to cases like these there are so many opportunities to prevent things. Social workers and cops sometimes just aren’t thorough in the moments when they really need to be. I would’ve pushed myself into that house.

[@Melly484]

Exactly! The worst part is they didn’t check anything and did a check in his bedroom but not the closet. You would think the police would have common sense to check areas of where someone would be hidden. He was a single father that went on one date. Lives with his parents and Jessica was at home with them. The grandfather even got up at 3am but didn’t hear anything. So sad for that family.

[@AshlynnHolmes13]

@@Melly484 I know, I feel so terribly for the family! 😔 It’s just frustrating. I wish I could go back in time and fix things like this.

[@Melly484]

@@AshlynnHolmes13 my uncle was locked up with him you will be happy to hear he was not treated good at all.

[@karenSmith-kn4tn]

I've been following this since day one and it breaks my heart everytime My heart full of love goes out to this man She was a beautiful angel and I hope this pos criminal rots in hell

[@ansleygrace1899]

your beyond strong

[@urinedanger1008]

I think about him from time to time, heartbreaking 💔

[@who_is_katxo]

she would have been 24 this year it is so sick people do these things

[@ZouhirOmrani]

Dad passed away in 2022n

[@ayeshasiddiqi2193]

Oh my God 😭😭😭😭😭

[@kevinvruggink4908]

And people say sex offenders can be rehabilitated. Bull shit. Fkr had a 10 years sentance and only served 2. Wtf

[@variaxi935]

Did he say "and to remember the words of a wise old black man"?? I'm so confused lol maybe I misheard him but if that's what he said then what was the point in bringing up the race of the guy he's quoting 😂

[@zariballard]

Because the quote was from a black man whose daughter was murdered during the KKK days, she was raped and tortured at 6 years old by a bunch of hillbilly whites. It was a hate crime and he said that to the judge, "It's just too heavy for mercy". Something like that.

[@snooziblu]

Don’t have kiddos. Simple as that.

[@Chloe-nk6zm]

If Joseph and Katherine thought like you, the world would never have met Michael.. The thing to say is, If you want to be a parent: be responsible toward your child. And raise him right.

[@TaylorS0410]

Dont kidnap and sa anyone. Simple as that.

[@snooziblu]

@@Chloe-nk6zm that’s gay lol

[@katula14]

I second that, especially cos many grow up to be evil.

[@colombianflag717]

This dude left her daughter alone , is sad parents do that all the time.

[@triplea5618]

NOT TRUE. she was kidnapped in the middle of the night while staying with her grandparents, the police messed up they showed up at the killers home 4 times without asking to go inside

[@Girl-101]

The door wasn’t locked though! Why oh why do people, esp in the US, -(one of the most dangerous countries in the world for people that walk into people’s homes and abduct their kids, how many has it been now..) not lock their door at night when they sleep?! That’s the definition of stupidity

[@MsLB-lm9mu]

@@Girl-101 unfortunately many people don't lock their door. Look up the Cheshire Murders. That beautiful family still be alive now if their basement door was locked.

[@janelledillon6553]

Her grandparents were home at the time. Get your fucking facts straight because you look like an idiot.

[@karasmith4365]

@@Girl-101 mark thought he locked the door before going out but when he realized he didn’t the next day he called the police right away. So research this

[@Hugo-py2ce]

You left her alone!!! How could you leave her alone?? Your own daughter! That angers me, you were irresponsible and you're just as responsible for her death. I have daughters and would never leave them alone, would nit think twice about that. Angers me to see your videos, and now you will suffer the rest of your life because I know you know it was your fault.

[@zariballard]

Hugo 2001 She wasn't ALONE, you idiot. Her grandma and grandfather were in the room right across the hall and didn't hear a thing. They left the door unlocked. Mark tucked her in at 10pm and was home to get her ready for school.

[@AshlynnHolmes13]

She was not alone, she was with her grandparents! It is not this mans fault. The police didn't search the house he was staying in and she was still in there and alive at that point. It is not this mans fault!! John Couey is a sick man and he was a repeat offender and should never have been let out of jail. It is not this mans fault. So if you're going to be pissed at someone you should be pissed at John Couey and the justice system and while you're at it the police for not being thorough. I agree that the parents are often the last line of defense in these situations but this was not the case for what happened to Jessica. Next time research the entire bloody case before you hop on and berate a grieving father who is doing everything he can to try and fix this broken ass system. For the last time! It. Is. Not. This. Mans. Fault!

[@TaylorS0410]

He did NOT leave her alone you miserable piece of shit

[@madisonh800]

You're an idiot. He did not leave his child home alone, he left her in the house with her grandparents that they both lived with. It's not his fault

[@tracylamb7333]

WTF are you even talking about! She was NOT alone! Know before you speak! How aweful for this man already, then u blame him! What has the world come to!

[@clyth41]

RIP Jessica xxx