James Duckett was executed for the 1987 rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. Investigators believe he also killed Jeanifer Weldon that same year. (Credit: WTVT)
After almost four decades, the execution of James Duckett brought closure for two families who believe they both lost young girls to the same killer.
The 68-year-old was executed by lethal injection July 28 for the rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee while on duty as a cop for the Mascotte Police Department.
McAbee’s family attended his execution at the Florida State Prison in Raiford.
They were joined by family and friends of 14-year-old Jeanifer Weldon. Authorities believe she also was killed by Duckett four months after he murdered McAbee.
INVESTIGATORS REVISIT FLORIDA SERIAL KILLER CASE AS SEARCH RESUMES FOR POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL VICTIMS
Investigators believe Jeanifer Weldon (L) was killed by James Duckett (R) in Fort Meade, Fla., in September 1987. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
But law enforcement officials stopped pursuing a conviction out of fear it would prolong his life, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference.
It had been decided that piecing together evidence on the case could "jam up" the process or "create more defense, or more arguments, or more excuses why he shouldn't be executed," Judd told reporters on July 30.
So once Duckett was sentenced to die for McAbee’s murder, authorities stopped pushing to secure a conviction for the killing of Weldon, Judd said.
McAbee went missing in May 1987. She was last seen with Duckett in his patrol car on an evening when he was the only officer working the streets.
When her body was found, evidence showed she’d been sexually assaulted, strangled and drowned, according to court records.
A month later, Duckett was named a suspect and was fired from his job as a cop. Very strong fingerprint and DNA evidence linked Duckett to the case, Judd said.
NEW CALIFORNIA LAW EXPANDS DNA TOOLS FOR MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS
Authorities found Weldon’s body in a wooded area behind the road where her shoes were found. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
