COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - A Naples father convicted of murdering his wife Guerline Dieu Damas and their five children back in 2009 has been sentenced to death.
Mesac Damas pleaded guilty to six counts of first-degree murder. Damas claims voices in his head told him to commit the murders.
Earlier this week it was revealed in court that he didn't plan on killing his two youngest kids, but he also didn't want them living with their grandmother.
Friday, Damas kept his head down in court as a judge determined his fate.
"The defendant is hereby sentenced to death," said Judge Christine Greider, citing the sentence fir each of Damas' victims.
Damas had admitted to killing his family on several occasions, but the case dragged on for years due to courtroom outbursts, defense attorney changes and other issues.
Damas' defense attorneys had argued for a life sentence by raising doubts about his mental health. But prosecutors convinced Greider that the murders were planned, showing evidence earlier this week that Damas had purchased the knife used in the killings at a Naples WalMart just before the murders.
"The cold, calculated and premeditated quality made this case the exact type of case that was contemplated when Florida decided to have a death penalty," said Amira Fox, Chief Assistant State Attorney.
After Damas was led out of court, family of Guerline Dieu Damas hugged and shed tears in the hall.
"The emotional rollercoaster is over," said Mackindy Dieu, Guerline's brother and uncle to her 5 children. "It is finally time for the Dieu angels to rest in peace."
As with any death penalty sentence in Florida, the decision will be automatically appealed in the state's Supreme Court.
