Less than a week after a judge handed Joseph Smith a death sentence for the rape and murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, the slain girl's mother was sentenced to serve time behind bars. Susan Schorpen was ordered to serve 90 days in a Florida jail after she pleaded no contest to drug and prostitution charges.
KEY DOCUMENTS
Probable Cause Affidavit
In this report, police investigating the Carlie Brucia case describe what led them to Joseph P. Smith and to the gruesome discovery of the girl's remains.
Florida auto mechanic Joseph Smith was sentenced to death on March 15, 2006, for the rape and murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia, whose kidnapping was captured on a car wash security camera system and broadcast around the world.
More Stories
- •Feb. 14, 2006
Smith gives tearful apology as he asks for mercy - •Feb. 13, 2006
Sentencing hearing opens
PENALTY PHASE
- •Dec. 1, 2005
Jury recommends death penalty - •Dec. 1, 2005
Lawyers present closings in Smith penalty phase - •Nov. 30, 2005
Expert: Prison stay would be no picnic - •Nov. 29, 2005
Friends, family of Carlie Brucia's killer to testify - •Nov. 28, 2005
Parents' testimony brings Smith to tears
VERDICT
- •Nov. 28, 2005
Penalty phase scheduled - •Nov. 17, 2005
Joseph Smith guilty on all counts
CLOSINGS & DELIBERATIONS
- •Nov. 17, 2005
Carlie's mom: Smith deserves death - •Nov. 17, 2005
Deliberations begin - •Nov. 16, 2005
Closing arguments presented
DEFENSE'S CASE
- •Nov. 16, 2005
Defense surprises with last-minute silence
PROSECUTION'S CASE
- •Nov. 15, 2005
Smith confessed to 'it' in taped calls - •Nov. 14, 2005
FBI examiner: DNA ties Smith to Carlie Brucia - •Nov. 10, 2005
Jurors view 'unsettling' images - •Nov. 9, 2005
Brother: Smith admitted rape, strangulation - •Nov. 8, 2005
Witness ID's defendant in video
OPENINGS & JURY SELECTION
- •Nov. 7, 2005
Defense to jury: Be skeptical of evidence - •Oct. 24, 2005
Jury selection opens - •Case background
The Carlie Brucia case
THE INVESTIGATION
- •Feb. 23, 2004
Mechanic charged with capital sexual battery - •Feb. 9, 2004
Fla. system under scrutiny in wake of slaying - •Feb. 6, 2004
Body of missing Florida girl found - •Feb. 5, 2004
Suspect remains mum about missing Florida girl - •Feb. 4, 2004
Enhanced images anticipated from video of abduction
CASE IN BRIEF
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Mechanic Joseph Smith was found guilty of raping, kidnapping and murdering Carlie Brucia, 11, who was last seen on a surveillance video with her abductor. The jury that convicted him also recommended the death penalty.
BACKGROUND
MESSAGE BOARDS
CHATS
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•John Springer
Courttv.com reporter chats from the field
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•Jami Floyd
Court TV anchor discusses the case
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