A man convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter in 1990 beat his own lawyer in court on Monday and was knocked to the ground.
Joseph Zieler, 61, was sentenced to death Monday in connection with the killing of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter Lisa Story, 32, who were raped and choked to death.
While standing before a judge, Zieler demanded that the cameras in the room be taken down before delivering profanity and subsequent elbowing to attorney Kevin Shirley in the face.
Three bailiffs quickly threw the man, who appeared to have “murderer” engraved on his teeth, to the ground before escorting him out of the courtroom within seconds.
In May, a jury in Lee County, Fla. recommended the death penalty, and his appearance Monday was to appeal to the judge hours before sentencing.
Joseph Zieler (pictured), who was convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter in 1990, punched his own lawyer and was knocked to the ground in court on Monday
In May, Zieler was found guilty of assaulting and murdering 11-year-old Robin Cornell (left) and her 32-year-old babysitter Lisa Story (right) in May 1990
Zieler, who was arrested in 2016 — 26 years after the cold-case murders — was expected to plead before the judge against the jury’s death recommendation.
After the elbow was thrown, Lee District Judge Robert Branning asked Shirley if he was alright, to which the attorney replied that he had taken hits earlier.
The blow came as Zieler – who was still handcuffed – appeared to be attempting to quietly deliver a message to his longtime attorney.
“It seemed like he didn’t want our conversation to be overheard by the mics.” So he waved me down and I leaned over and he slapped me,” Shirley told Fox 4.
Branning kept the convicted killer outside the courtroom for several minutes while making sure Shirley was okay after the punch.
The mother of the 11-year-old girl killed by Zieler, Jan Cornell, was in court Monday watching the incident and expressed shock and surprise.
After being dragged back inside, the man reportedly growled at the judge and onlookers, revealing the word “murderer” written on his teeth.
Despite the shocking message in his mouth, he refused to allow relatives to speak on his behalf and claimed he was innocent of the crimes.
“I have nothing to do with it,” he said. “I maintain my innocence.”
Judge Branning eventually denied Zieler’s request for a new trial and chose not to vacate his conviction.
A few hours later, the judge in the courtroom sentenced him to death.
Zieler, who was arrested in 2016 — 26 years after the cold-case murders — was expected to plead before the judge against the jury’s death recommendation. Pictured: Zieler enters the courtroom
Three bailiffs quickly attacked Zieler (pictured) and escorted him out of the courtroom
The convicted murderer appeared to have had the word “murderer” etched into his teeth in court
Jan Cornell (right) looks at pictures of Robin Cornell (center) and Lisa Story (right) during a joint press conference following the announcement that Zieler had been sentenced to death
“Justice for Robin and justice for Lisa has been done,” Jan Cornell said Monday afternoon
The verdict marks a conclusion for the families who have been seeking justice since they were discovered in a Cape Coral apartment more than 30 years ago.
Cornell and Story were found beaten, assaulted and suffocated in May 1990.
In September 2016, police announced that Zieler had been arrested for their murders after police matched his DNA to evidence found at the crime scene.
“The semen found on the bed sheet that Robin slept on indicates a frequency of over 1700 billion for the defendant,” investigators said at the trial.
Story was taking care of Cornell when Zieler attacked her.
Jan Cornell, Robin’s mother, who had spent the night with her boyfriend, returned the next day to find their bodies.
The murders are among the most famous unsolved crimes and were featured in 2010’s America’s Most Wanted.
When Jan returned, the front door was locked and he entered the house through the rear sliding doors, which had been left open.
In an upstairs bathroom, she found her daughter’s lifeless body lying face down.
During Zieler’s trial, Jan told the jury that the last thing she said to her daughter was, “Good night, I’m going to Donnie’s, I love you.”
She cried as she told those present that his daughter was a lively fifth grader who loved jumping rope and playing outdoors.
Jan Cornell (left with a picture of daughter Robin Cornell) stands next to District Attorney Amira Fox (at the podium) and Cape Coral Police Commissioner Anthony Sizemore (in uniform).
Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the attack on Cornell and Story was personal in nature and claimed that Jan was targeted by Zieler.
“It sounds like someone was really mad at you,” attorney Lee Hollander said.
Zieler was found guilty of murder by a jury in early May and later charged with molesting Jan Cornell, to whom he had sent a letter from prison.
“Justice for Robin and justice for Lisa has been done,” Jan said in a news conference with prosecutor Amira Fox and Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore
Fox said she hopes the verdict will bring a sense of peace to the victims’ families.
“I hope that the verdict and sentencing recommendation have finally brought a sense of justice and peace to the families of Lisa Story and Robin Cornell,” Fox said.
“I want to thank them for their incredible patience and understanding as we all worked together over the years to bring this case to a conclusion,” she continued.