ORLANDO, Fla. — Two convicted cop killers tried to make money by selling their story to a TV show, so Friday a jury ordered them to pay $24 million to Officer Al Gordon's family.
That's if they can even pay; they're in jail for life. They were arrested as teens, and their lawyers say the young killers have no assets.
But, after Friday's verdict at the Orange County Courthouse, if they make any money in the future, in any shape or form, it's going straight to the Gordon family.
Attorneys showed jurors emotional video of Alfred Gordon's family grieving before they began deliberating. An hour later, the verdict was in the judge's hands.
"I don't know if any amount will make up for the death, but this says you were liable for it civilly," said Beverly Gordon, the officer's ex-wife.
Off-duty at the time, Gordon was gunned down in front of a Pine Hills Bank of America ATM in 2007. Convicted killers Hugo Terry and Davin Smith are serving life sentences for his murder.
"Why would you sue a couple of deadbeat broke thugs?" WFTV reporter Q. McCray asked Beverly Gordon.
"Well, what the attorneys told us is that Florida really doesn't have a law that prevents criminals from benefitting from their crimes," she said.
According to attorney Dan Newlin, Smith and Terry tried to sell their story to a TV show. New York first came up with a law making it illegal for convicts to profit off their crimes, when Son of Sam serial murderer David Berkowitz tried to sell his story in the 70s. Several states now have their own version of the legislation, but not Florida.
Friday's judgment guarantees Gordon's family receives money Smith and Terry make in the future.
"If they get a book deal, if they win the lottery, whatever it is, we're going to be there with a judgment," attorney John Leighton.
The Gordons are more concerned with closure.
"At the end of the day, it's all a part of the process and we can start moving on," said Alexandria Gordon, the officer's daughter.
The Gordons also sued Bank of America and the shopping center it is located in and received an undisclosed amount of money. There's no word on if Smith and Terry's prison wages will be garnished.
Previous Stories: December 9, 2010: Sheriff: Deputy Fired Taser Before Being Shot In Head August 10, 2009: Cop Killers Sentenced To Life In Prison July 28, 2009: Jury Recommends Life For Cop Killer July 27, 2009: Cop Killer Sentencing Taking Longer Than Expected July 23, 2009: New, Chilling Testimony In Cop Killer Case July 21, 2009: Inmate Says Accused Cop Killer Confessed July 20, 2009: Witness Says Suspect Admitted To Killing Cop July 14, 2009: Jury Candidates Questioned In Cop Killer Case July 13, 2009: Accused OPD Cop Killer's Trial To Begin June 29, 2009: Accused Cop Killer Turns Down Plea Deal March 2, 2009: Former Music Mogul Could Be Called As Witness In Murder Trial September 30, 2008: Interrogation Video Released, But Confession Could Be Tossed September 30, 2008: Accused Cop Killer's Confession Could Be Thrown Out July 30, 2008: Lou Pearlman Allegedly Ratted Out Fellow Inmate Accused Of Murder January 17, 2008: Proposed Bill Could Keep Juvenile Offenders Locked Up Longer October 10, 2007: Fallen Officer Remembered At Orlando Memorial Service October 10, 2007: Orlando Police Chaplains Kick Off "Operation Armor All" October 9, 2007: Death Penalty May Be Sought For Older Cop Killer Suspect October 8, 2007: Detectives Reveal How They Caught Cop Killer Suspects October 5, 2007: Reward For Help Finding Cop Killer Climbs To $50,000
WFTV
