Judge sentences man convicted in beauty queen's murder to death

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A jury recommended death for Vahtiece Kirkman in the killing of former beauty queen Darice Knowles; the jury vote was 10 to 2.
 
"Darice Knowles suffered an extremely tortuous death," Judge Jeffrey Mahl said. "The sentence of this court is that you shall be put to death in the manner and means provided by law."
 
Kirkman was already serving a life sentence for the shooting death of Willie Parker in 2006. He was killed 17 days before Knowles' death.
 
Prosecutors said Knowles was buried alive and encased in concrete in a wooded Cocoa lot. Prosecutors believed her death was a result of what she knew about Parker's murder.
 
"The terror that Knowles must have felt as she watched the defendant and (Christopher Pratt) prepare her for death," Mahl said.
 
Pratt, who was Knowles ex-boyfriend, is serving 20 years for the murders of Parker and Knowles, he testified that he buried the victim under Kirkman's direction.
 
"May God have mercy upon your soul," Mahl said.

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