the Florida Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Donny Crook...

the Florida Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Donny Crook, and ordered that he instead be sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for the 1996 fatal stabbing and beating of Betty Spurlock, 59.
In a 6-1 decision, the court said that while Crook brutally killed the victim, the sentencing judge overlooked mitigating factors, including evidence from medical experts that Crook had brain damage and was borderline mentally retarded. (see also March 7, 2002).