Fla. jury recommends death for man convicted of abduction, rape and murder of young mother

Fla. jury recommends death in abduction, murder

SARASOTA, Fla. — A jury has recommended execution for a man who abducted, raped and killed a young southwest Florida mother.

The Sarasota jury voted 12-0 Friday to recommend death for 38-year-old Michael King. The judge must give the advisory opinion great weight when he sentences King later.

DNA evidence and a 911 call Denise Lee made from King’s cell phone tied him to the crimes. The same jury convicted him of first-degree murder last week.

Lee’s cries for help were heard on one of several 911 calls made about the abduction. One motorist was able to describe the car and its location, but the call was never relayed to patrol officers looking for the 21-year-old mother of two.