JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville triple murder from over 20 years ago is being relived in court this week.
Pinkney Carter was found guilty of murdering Elizabeth Reed, 36, her boyfriend Glenn Pafford, 49, and her teenage daughter Courtney Smith, 16, in Arlington in 2002. He is being resentenced due to changing death penalty laws.
On Thursday, prosecutors asked a jury to recommend the death penalty.
“He made sure each of those six shots hit their targets,” said Prosecutor Chris Huband.
Defense attorneys argue Carter “snapped” when he committed the murders and does not deserve to die.
“July 24, 2002 is a piece of the puzzle that is Mr. Carter’s life,” said the defense attorney. “It is a significant piece, a terrible piece, an earth-shattering, life-altering piece, but it is just that – one piece.”
Reed’s stepmother told First Coast News her family is hoping for the same outcome as before when the jury recommended death.
Reed’s son, Rick Smith, was 14 years old when he testified he found the bodies of his mother, sister, and is mother’s boyfriend.
“What did you do?” prosecutors asked.
“I jumped out of bed and I grabbed my BB gun,” Smith said.
Smith appeared to look toward the killer of his loved ones as he walked out of the courtroom following his testimony.
Prosecutors say Carter escaped to Mexico after the murders but was later caught in Kentucky and brought back to Jacksonville in 2004. On Thursday the court also heard from several Jacksonville Sheriff's officers who were at the crime scene and a medical examiner.
Graphic photos of the victims' bodies were shown in court and several of the jurors appeared upset by the images.