Szczepanik Family Killer Faces Death Penalty
A jury decided that a man is convicted of killing a Brazilian family, and will face the death penalty Friday.
Years of uncertainty if the Szczepaniks would ever see justice, and weeks of testimony are now over. Jose Carlos Oliviera-Countinho is convicted on 3 counts of murder. The Szczepanik family went missing in 2009, and the son Christopher’s body was found one year ago. Pastor Humberto Costa reported the family missing, and says he still can’t believe Carlos was behind their disappearance.
"It’s kind of a sign of relief of course we are sad as well because we never expected that to happen especially coming from Carlos,” Pastor Costa described.
The prosecution says Oliviera-Coutinho killed them for money, and had the help of two other men. The defense says he wasn’t there when the mother and son were hanged. Pastor Costa says he still hurts for the family. After court, Jacqueline Szczepanik’s daughter, Tatiane Klein was still taking in what had happened.
“Initially I was nervous and anxious and I’m still in shock. I’m still asking if he doesn’t get the death penalty what does he get.” Klein explained.
A three judge panel will decide if Oliviera-Coutinho will get the death penalty. If they decide against it, he will receive life in prison.
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