Jury Recommends Death In NSU Professor Murder Trial
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The jury which found Randy Tundidor Sr. guilty in the murder of Nova Southeastern University professor Joseph Morrissey two years ago over a landlord tenant dispute has come up decision on how he should be punished.
On Monday the panel of six men and six women recommended a death sentence for the 45-yer old Plantation man, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Broward Circuit Judge Cynthia Imperato will now consider their recommendation along with a life in prison sentence before she issues her final decision.
Last May Tundidor Sr. was found guilty on ten felony charges including first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and arson.
Tundidor Sr.'s son, Randy Jr., who pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder to avoid the death penalty, testified against his father. He admitted to breaking into Morrissey's home; holding Morrissey and his wife Kay at gun point; binding their hands and feet with plastic zip ties; rummaging their house for valuables; and forcing them to drive to an ATM to withdraw cash.
The jury believed the prosecutor's case that Tundidor Sr. was outside the house communicating with a walkie-talkie then came into the house.
The younger Tundidor testified his dad tried to shoot Morrissey but the gun jammed. That's when he used a hunting knife to stab him repeatedly before setting the house on fire.
Kay Morrisey was able to escape with the couple's son.
The Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report.
