USA - Florida. Judge William Thomas sentenced Joel Lebron, 33, black, to death

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge William Thomas sentenced Joel Lebron, 33, black, to death. On Oct. 5 (see) a jury had recommended a death sentence. Lebron was 1 of 5 Orlando men who kidnapped 18-year-old Ana Maria Angel and her boyfriend, Nelson Portobanco, as the couple finished a romantic stroll on South Beach on April 27, 2002. After robbing them, the men gang raped 18-year-old Angel, then slit Portobanco's throat and left him for dead. He survived and alerted police. The evidence against Lebron was overwhelming. Lebron confessed in excruciating detail to investigators. His boots were also splashed with Portobanco's blood, and his DNA was matched to semen found inside the victim. Lebron was the final defendant to go to trial. Cesar Mena and Jesus Roman each got life in prison. Thomas earlier sentenced Victor Caraballo to death. The Florida Supreme Court overturned the decision because of improper testimony allowed in at sentencing; he is awaiting a new sentencing hearing and could again receive a death sentence. In October, his brother, Hector Caraballo, pleaded guilty and agreed to a 50-year prison sentence.