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Russell Tillis avoids death penalty for Joni Gunter’s murder
Read full article: Russell Tillis avoids death penalty for Joni Gunter’s murderA jury of 12 men and women on Thursday recommended a sentence of life in prison for Russell Tillis, the man convicted in the murder and dismemberment of Joni Gunter.
Disturbing testimony as state seeks death penalty for Russell Tillis
Read full article: Disturbing testimony as state seeks death penalty for Russell TillisThe same jury that convicted Russell Tillis of first-degree murder, kidnapping and dismemberment in the death of Joni Gunter was back in the courtroom Wednesday as the sentencing phase began.
Defense for Tillis seeks to block state from seeking death penalty
Read full article: Defense for Tillis seeks to block state from seeking death penaltyDefense attorneys for Russell Tillis have filed a last-minute motion to block the state from seeking the death penalty for their client when the penalty phase of his murder trial begins on Wednesday.
Russell Tillis guilty of 1st-degree murder, faces minimum life sentence
Read full article: Russell Tillis guilty of 1st-degree murder, faces minimum life sentenceRussell Tillis on Friday was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Joni Gunter, whose dismembered remains were found buried in the yard of Tillis’ Southside home nearly five years ago.
Russell Tillis testifies in his murder trial, denies killing woman
Read full article: Russell Tillis testifies in his murder trial, denies killing womanRussell Tillis took the stand in his own defense on the second day of his trial in the murder of Joni Gunter, whose dismembered remains were found on his Southside property in 2016.
Grim evidence, jailhouse confession in Russell Tillis’ trial
Read full article: Grim evidence, jailhouse confession in Russell Tillis’ trialThe long-delayed trial of Russell Tillis on charges that he killed and dismembered Joni Gunter and then buried her in the yard of his Southside Jacksonville home began with grim details of her death.
Juror dismissed in Russell Tillis murder trial after writing letter to judge
Read full article: Juror dismissed in Russell Tillis murder trial after writing letter to judgeOne of the first 10 jurors selected to serve in the murder trial of Russell Tillis was excused Tuesday after writing a letter to the judge.
Years after body found, Russell Tillis goes on trial for murder
Read full article: Years after body found, Russell Tillis goes on trial for murderNearly five years after the remains of a 30-year-old woman were found in the backyard of his home, jury selection began Monday in the trial of Russell Tillis.
Russell Tillis ruled competent for trial
Read full article: Russell Tillis ruled competent for trialJACKSONVILLE, Fla. Russell Tillis has been ruled competent for prosecution following a two-day mental evaluation hearing. The ruling was made after Judge Mark Borello heard four psychologists who examined Tillis. Police said the womans remains were found in the yard of his Southside home in 2016 while Tillis was in jail on unrelated charges. RELATED: Russell Tillis admits killing, dismembering captive women in jailhouse confessionThe case has dragged on for years as Tillis has fought with his lawyers. Hes now on his 11th and 12th attorneys, and hes trying to get rid of one of them.
Russell Tillis' 12th lawyer is on the case
Read full article: Russell Tillis' 12th lawyer is on the caseAttorney Donald Mairs (pictured left), attorney Chuck Fletcher (center) and Russell Tillis (right) appear in court Thursday morning. A judge appointed Donald Mairs as the 12th lawyer for Russell Tillis, who is accused in the murder of Joni Gunter, whose remains were found in his yard in 2016. John Rockwell, a former assistant state attorney who prosecuted Tillis in 2007 on a prostitution charge, was appointed as Tillis' 11th defense lawyer on April 1. Tillis filed a Nelson motion, saying he wanted Fletcher removed from the case. When Tillis appeared in court Thursday morning with Mairs, Borello denied Tillis' motion to have Fletcher removed.
Another lawyer allowed to withdraw from Russell Tillis case
Read full article: Another lawyer allowed to withdraw from Russell Tillis caseJohn Rockwell, a former assistant state attorney who prosecuted Tillis in 2007 on a prostitution charge, was appointed as Tillis' 11th defense lawyer on April 1. Judge Mark Borello granted a motion Friday for Rockwell, who was the second chair, to withdraw in the case. Tillis filed a Nelson motion, saying he wanted Fletcher removed from the case. Prosecutors also interviewed Janis Eldridge, a private investigator who was subpoenaed and brought in for a sworn statement in the case. Eldridge stood before Borello on Friday morning under oath, saying she has been a private investigator for Tillis since 2015.