Edward Cowart
Edward Douglas Cowart (February 17, 1925 – August 3, 1987) was an American judge who served as a Dade County Circuit Court Judge.
Edward Cowart | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward Douglas Cowart[1] February 17, 1925 |
| Died | August 3, 1987 (aged 62) Miami, Florida, US |
| Education | University of Miami (BA) Stetson University College of Law (JD)[3] |
| Known for | Presiding judge at the trial of serial killer Ted Bundy |
Early life and education
Before entering the judiciary, Cowart served as a Miami police officer. He sat on the bench for 14 years, earning wide respect among Florida lawyers. He was known for frequent biblical quotations in the courtroom. Cowart received his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Miami in 1950 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 1952.
Bundy trial
Cowart is best known as the presiding judge at the trial of serial killer Ted Bundy, a one-time law student who was arrested for a series of murders from at least 1974 to 1978 and who represented himself in court. Cowart imposed a death sentence, and is remembered for his sympathetic post-sentencing remarks to Bundy:[4][5]
The court finds that both of these killings were indeed heinous, atrocious and cruel. And that they were extremely wicked, shockingly evil, vile and the product of a design to inflict a high degree of pain and utter indifference to human life. This court, independent of, but in agreement with the advisory sentence rendered by the jury does hereby impose the death penalty upon the defendant Theodore Robert Bundy.
It is further ordered that on such scheduled date that you'll be put to death by a current of electricity, sufficient to cause your immediate death, and such current of electricity shall continue to pass through your body until you are dead.
Take care of yourself, young man. I say that to you sincerely; take care of yourself. It is an utter tragedy for this court to see such a total waste of humanity, I think, as I've experienced in this courtroom.
You're a bright young man. You'd have made a good lawyer and I would have loved to have you practice in front of me, but you went another way, partner. I don't feel any animosity toward you. I want you to know that. Once again, take care of yourself.
— Judge Edward Cowart[4]
Death
Cowart died of a heart attack at the age of 62.[5] Bundy was executed two years later in 1989 after failing in numerous appeals to Cowart and the Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn his sentence or be granted a new trial.
References
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007
- 1930 United States Federal Census
- 1989 – Honorable Edward D. Cowart
- Lundin, Leigh (August 22, 2010). "Last Words". Capital Punishment. Criminal Brief.
- "Edward D. Cowart, 62, Judge In Florida Trial of Ted Bundy". The New York Times. New York City. Associated Press. August 4, 1987. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
After month long proceedings, Mr. Bundy was found guilty of murdering two female students at Florida State University. Judge Cowart sentenced him to death for "vile and heinous" crimes, then told him quietly: "You'd have made a good lawyer. I'd have loved to have you practice in front of me. But you went the wrong way, partner."