Last month, a Florida jury found Donald Smith guilty of kidnapping, raping, and murdering 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle in 2013. After convicting Smith, they then had to determine his sentence: the death penalty or life in prison. After a penalty phase that lasted several days, but deliberating for just over two hours, the jury sentenced the 61-year-old Smith to death.
Today Smith returns to the courtroom. His defense team will have the opportunity to present additional evidence to the judge before a sentence is entered.
Smith abducted the young girl after befriending her mother during a shopping trip. Prosecutors said he offered to buy clothes for the child, and went with them to a Walmart. The mother then let Smith take Cherish to the in-store McDonald’s, and security video showed him leaving there with the girl.
Watch the hearing in the player above courtesy
