• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Man who asked for death penalty for torturing and killing two men given death sentence

Home> News

Published 19:34 24 Feb 2023 GMT

Man who asked for death penalty for torturing and killing two men given death sentence

The judge granted him his wish, though he clarified that his preference had no bearing on the sentence

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A murderer who asked for the death penalty was granted his wish.

Steven Lorenzo was convicted for the 2003 killings of Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz after confessing to the crimes in December.

Lorenzo drugged, sexually assaulted, and murdered the 26-year-old victims in Florida, USA, and he asked to receive the death penalty for his crimes.

Advert

He was given the death penalty.
ZUMA Press Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

"I'm seeking the death penalty. It’s in my best interest, basically, because it's a comfort," the 64-year-old said.

"I'll be living a lot more comfortable that I would living in the federal system — living on death row, believe it or not. At my age, I want to be comfortable. I want my privacy. That's what I want.

"So I'm asking you to give me the death sentence, because that will be more comfortable for me to live out my lifetime.

Advert

"I know that I can be on death row for about 10 to 15 years, which I think is crazy. But as far as I see it, it's just euthanasia. I already have a death sentence. Everyone in this room has a death sentence."

He went on to say that 'we are eternal beings' and he wanted to 'get a new body and come back again'.

Wachholtz' mum Ruth also urged the judge to hand down the death sentence.

According to the Law & Crime Network, she said: "An eye for an eye. It would be nice if we could have old-time justice.

Advert

"Hanging. Heaven wants the gallows being built. Firing squad. Not blindfolded. Guillotine. Again, not blindfolded.

"What he did to my son before murdering him should be done to him."

He killed the men in 2003.
ZUMA Press Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Judge Christopher Sabella sentenced Lorenzo to death, clarifying that his wishes had not been taken into consideration.

Advert

Sabella said: "Many witnesses testified. On Feb. 7 two very strong young ladies testified. Ms. Ruth Waccholtz, the mother of Michael Waccholtz and Ms. Pam Williams the mother of Jason Galehouse, they are observing the proceedings today.

"The thing that was consistent in their testimony is that they have been waiting 20 years for justice. Today that long wait ends.

"In the words of Ms. Pam Williams, 'From one Italian to another, Ti condanno a morte'. That translates to 'I sentence you to death'.

"That is the punishment you deserve for these horrific crimes."

Featured Image Credit: ZUMA Press Inc / Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: US News, Crime

Jake Massey
Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

X

@jakesmassey

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Trump sends terrifying warning after leaving G7 early for 'much bigger' issue amid Israel-Iran attacks

    Donald Trump's comments are rather concerning considering the tensions in the region

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Woman who only ate beef for 8 years explains shocking physical and mental impact it had on her

    After 25 years of uncertainty around why she was experiencing severe autoimmune responses, Mikhaila Peterson tried 'the lion diet'

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    Forensic team digs for remains of nearly 800 babies at former ‘mother and baby home’

    It is believed the infants were dumped into a septic tank referred to as 'the pit'

    News
  • 13 hours ago

    Billionaire Sunjay Kapur, 53, dies suddenly as tragic final words revealed

    The 53-year-old billionaire collapsed suddenly while playing polo

    News
  • Woman who murdered her two children is kicked out of the courtroom after making mistake during trial
  • Child of man who killed his son's rapist live on TV reveals shocking new details about the murder
  • Two Democratic lawmakers and spouses shot in their homes as police issue shelter-in-place alert
  • Haunting final words of man on death row who was convicted for killing his baby revealed