Former Jabil Executive May Face Death Penalty

A jury has recommended that former Jabil executive Patrick Evans be executed for the murders of his estranged wife, Elizabeth, and her friend, Jerry Taylor.

But it is up to Judge Richard Luce to decide whether he will impose the death penalty,according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times.

The judge has scheduled a Feb. 20 hearing to discuss the decision.

The Pinellas County jury convicted Evans this week of first-degree murder in the deaths of his estranged wife and Taylor.

According to the Times report, the jury voted 9-3 for the death penalty for the killing of Elizabeth, and 8-4 for the death penalty for the killing of Taylor.

Defense attorney David Parry argued why Evans should live and called family members to testify on his behalf.

Evans, a former Jabil vice president, was going through a divorce when he confronted her at her Gulfport home. He shot Elizabeth Evans and Taylor while they were in bed.

Evidence presented at the trial showed the killing was recorded in an accidental 911 call.  Reports from the trial say Elizabeth Evans can be heard calling out her husband's nickname, "Rick." 

Taylor tells the gunman to put down the weapon, but two gunshots can be heard soon afterward, according to reports.