JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sixteen years after Andrea Boyer's brutal rape and murder, her killer was sentenced to life in prison.
Michael R. Jackson was convicted for Boyer's 2007 murder once before, in 2010. At his first trial, he was sentenced to death.
Jackson's attorneys appealed that conviction -- it was ruled that a videotape of an interrogation by Clay County sheriff's detectives prejudiced the jury, and he was granted a new trial.
The trial began in February, almost exactly 13 years from his original trial. Despite days of graphic, emotional testimony, the jury ultimately decided not to recommend the death penalty in Jackson's case. They instead recommended life in prison.
A Clay County judge sentenced Jackson to life in prison Monday, following emotional victim-impact statements from people who knew and loved Boyer.
Boyer's sister-in-law provided a statement on behalf of Shad Boyer, her husband, and the rest of their family:
"This day has been long awaited. Our family feels the outcome is appropriate and Jackson is not deserving of the automatic appeal process that comes with the death penalty, or the luxury of being isolated from general population wherever he goes/
Most importantly though, our family would like to extend the utmost gratitude and deepest thanks to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for all of their time, work, and commitment to our family and to Andrea. We would also like acknowledge how important Dan Skinner has been, and always will be to us. His dedication to our family, to Andrea, and to justice has been the ONLY constant through the last sixteen years. Without Dan and his exceptional colleagues, this would have been an unnavigable experience. He, Pam Hazel, Ashley Terry, and all those who worked on this case seeking justice for Andrea are remarkable and truly deserve all of the credit for today’s outcome. Our family will be forever grateful."
You can read more about this case with Larry Hannan from the Florida Times-Union here.