JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man convicted of first-degree murder in the death, kidnapping and dismemberment of a 30-year-old woman in 2016 will spend the rest of his life in prison, a judge ruled Tuesday afternoon.
Russell Tillis was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 30 years in prison by Duval County Circuit Court Judge Mark Borello. Tillis was found guilty in April in the death of Joni Gunter, whose remains were found buried in the back yard of his home, now known as the "House of Horrors."
A jury found him guilty, but they could not come to a unanimous decision to recommend the death penalty. Tillis will be able to appeal the judge's sentence.
First Coast News spoke exclusively with juror April Michalopoulos, who says she voted in favor of death.
Michalopoulos believes she was selected as a juror in the case because she has a 4-year-old son, and she thinks the defense believed that would make her more lenient in sentencing. Tillis has said he was sexually abused as a child.
“At first when I was picked I cried because I couldn’t ever imagine being in a position where I had to decide if someone lived or died," Michalopoulos said.
Michalopoulos formed an opinion of Russell Tillis as a bad man and believes he tried to manipulate the judicial system to his advantage.
“I wouldn’t want to live next door to Russell Tillis," Michalopoulos said "I don’t think he’s the best man. I think aside from what happened to Ms. Gunter, I think he’s a bad seed. I think he comes from a bad upbringing.”
Michalopoulos said she decided Tillis was guilty when he took the stand.
“It just seemed odd. Nothing he said matched what the detectives were telling us," she said.
Under Florida law, the jury must be unanimous for a defendant to receive the death penalty. Michalopoulos and eight other jurors thought Tillis should die for his crime. Three did not.
“We knew before today he was getting a life sentence. It does bring to a close a horrific crime that finally has reached its end," Tillis prosecutor Alan Mizrahi said.
“They tried to argue he would be of value in prison and that he could do other things, but I don’t think that he deserved that chance. Ms. Gunther and his other victims didn’t get that chance," Michalopoulos said.
Michalopoulos said she was embarrassed the jury didn't sentence Tillis to death, and this is why the jury couldn't come to an unanimous verdict.
“I think that it was clear that there was at least one person who was never going to be in favor of the death penalty no matter what. I think that’s probably why the defense picked them," Michalopoulos said.
What she heard and saw in the courtroom still has a lasting impact on her to this day.
“It was hard being a single mom coming home at night," Michalopoulos said. "Sometimes I would be scared little noises or whatever, but I was glad it was over. I felt like we should have gotten free therapy sessions.”
Tillis has 30 days to appeal his sentence. Borello classified Tillis as a habitual felony offender during sentencing due to two prior victims.
Tillis spoke in court Tuesday, where he complained about his lawyer in court, calling him, "ineffective and incompetent."
Gunter's family didn't want to speak on camera but said they feel some closure with the sentence. The prosecutor showed several pictures in court, including of Gunter growing up and of the son she left behind. Gunter's son he being raised by her grandmother.
Police discovered Gunter’s skeletonized remains in 2016 after Tillis described their location in a recorded jailhouse confession captured by fellow inmate Sammie Evans.