TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Legal professional Common James Uthmeier introduced that Florida’s Capital Appeals Division has secured a demise sentence for Joseph Zieler in reference to the 1990 rape and homicide of an 11-year-old woman and her babysitter throughout a house invasion.
Based on state officers, Zieler averted arrest for many years earlier than investigators recognized him by the Mixed DNA Index System, which linked him to the crime years after it occurred.
In a press release, Uthmeier credited prosecutors and authorized employees concerned within the case, together with Assistant Legal professional Common Christina Pacheco and the Solicitor Common’s Workplace, for his or her position in securing and upholding the sentence.
The ruling by the Florida Supreme Court docket affirms Zieler’s conviction and demise sentence. The case is among the many first capital sentences upheld below adjustments to Florida’s demise penalty legislation following the passage of Senate Invoice 450.
Signed into legislation by Ron DeSantis in April 2023, SB 450 revised the state’s sentencing requirements by permitting a demise penalty suggestion with a supermajority of no less than eight jurors, somewhat than requiring a unanimous resolution.
Zieler is at present in custody with the Florida Division of Corrections, the place he’ll stay on demise row pending execution.
