JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Nassau County jury has decided to recommend Patrick McDowell get the death penalty for the murder of Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers, a crime he pleaded guilty to on March 10, 2023.
Eleven jurors voted for McDowell to be put to death while just one recommended McDowell receive a sentence of life in prison.
The decision came after three and a half hours of deliberation. The trial itself lasted for twenty days.
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said McDowell is a "liar, cheater, druggie, and a murderer," and that was "proven in court."
"He's a cop killing, evil person, and he deserves to die a violent death just like he gave deputy Moyers. He does not deserve any better than that," Leeper said.
Thursday morning, court proceedings took an unusual turn when before closing arguments, McDowell asked if the judge would reopen the evidence phase of the trial so that he could take the stand. McDowell read a letter to the courtroom, saying he deserves to be put to death over receiving a life prison sentence.
In the letter, McDowell said "this is a plea for justice." He told the jury it made him sick to watch people try to excuse what he did, said he never once considered Moyers's life and just "killed him to get away," and testified that if someone murdered his loved one this way, he'd want them dead.
"I do not deserve to live a long life in a place full of people who will praise and revere me as a cop killer. I deserve what I gave him. He deserved better, but I do not. Let me be clear, this is not a plea for my life or for my death. This is a plea for justice for Deputy Moyers and his family," part of McDowell's letter read.
When closing arguments began, prosecutors said in five minutes McDowell undid everything his defense presented to the jury over the last week.
The case began in September 2021, when McDowell shot Moyers in the face and back during a traffic stop. McDowell, who had been to jail several times, said he was trying to avoid going back to prison.
This led to a five-day manhunt that spanned several counties. McDowell was eventually brought into custody with help from a K-9 officer.
Years of pre-trial hearings led up to McDowell's April trial, with debate over changing venues and the admission of evidence from psychiatrists.