Judge sentences Zephen Xaver, man who executed 5 women at Florida bank, to death

SEBRING, Fla. (WFLA) – Judge Angela Cowden sentenced Zephen Xaver – the man who killed five women at a bank in Sebring, Florida – to death, following the recommendation from jurors at his sentencing trial in June.

Zephen Xaver pleaded guilty to five counts of murder for killing Ana Piñon Williams, Debra Cook, Marisol Lopez, Cynthia Watson, and Jessica Montague at a SunTrust Bank in 2019.

In a nine to three vote, jurors recommended the death penalty in the sentencing trial for Xaver in June. This decision came after years of delays.

A Florida law signed last year only requires eight jurors to vote for the death penalty.

Families of the victims said the verdict has brought some closure.

"I don't think a lot of people realize that you have to continue to live that same day over and over again until you do go to trial. There are constant court hearings, constant conference meetings with lawyers and it just eats you alive," said April Nelson, Cynthia Watson's daughter.

“I’m happy with the verdict. He deserves it. He’s a coward and this delay has just been trying to keep him alive,” said Michael Cook, victim Debra Cook’s husband.

During his sentencing trial, his defense team tried to show Xaver had a history of psychological and medical issues that lead him to homicidal thoughts and eventually, the mass shooting.