Man Gets Death Penalty In Dunkin' Donuts Murder Case
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A judge on Friday sentenced a man to death after being convicted of first degree murder.
The self-proclaimed "human hunter", James Herard, 24, looked relaxed, even bored as he waited to find out whether he would live or die. Herard, who was just a teenager when he started killing, is already serving multiple life sentences for his role in a chain of robberies at Dunkin' Donuts stores in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Herard was known for barking at a judge and laughing right after a police interrogation.
Click here to watch Gaby Fleischman's report.
As soon as the hearing started, the judge said that Herard was actually fitted with a stun belt and would get shocked immediately if he talked back or had any strange outbursts.
Shortly before noon, the judge sentenced Herard. He did not seem to have a reaction once the sentence was read. His mother was in the courtroom and let out a cry as soon as she heard the sentence.
The judge said Herard will be transferred to death row at a Florida State Penitentiary.
In June 2014, a jury recommended death for Herard who was found guilty on May 16th for 18 charges which included murder, racketeering and robbery.
READ: Jury Recommends Death In 'Dunkin Donuts' Murder Case
Broward prosecutors sought the death penalty after Herard was convicted of first degree murder for the shooting death of Kiem Huynh at a Tamarac Dunkin Donuts and for ordering fellow gang member Tharod Bell to execute Eric Jean-Pierre in what they called a "body count competition."
READ: Guilty Verdict In 'Dunkin Donuts' Murder Case
Herard, described as the ringleader of a gang of violent criminals, was sentenced in August 2011 to nine life terms for the robbery of a Delray Beach Dunkin Donuts just one day before he shot and killed Huynh. During the Delray Beach crime, four customers were shot, two in the face. Nobody died.
Herard's accomplice, Bell, pleaded guilty to the murder of Jean-Pierre as part of a plea deal and is scheduled to be sentenced to 50 years in prison Friday afternoon. He is also already serving multiple life sentences for the Palm Beach shootings.
READ: Accused Double Murderer Lashes Out At Lawyer In Court
