Tearful testimony marks 2nd day of trial for Sebring bank shooter
It’s been more than five years since a customer and four bank employees were murdered in a Sebring bank. Zephen Xaver, the alleged bank shooter, has admitted to murdering five women and four employees in a Sebring bank over a period of five years ago. The victims were shot and Xaver claimed that voices in his head influenced him to do it. On the second day of his trial, jurors heard emotional testimony from a former bank teller who narrowly escaped the killings. A hostage negotiator also took the stand to tell jurors about Xaver's time on the phone and his confession. Xaver now faces the death penalty for his actions.
Yayınlanan : 10 ay önce ile Jeff Patterson içinde General
HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — It’s been more than five years since a customer and four bank employees were murdered in a Sebring bank.
Zephen Xaver has admitted to killing all five women, saying voices in his head told him to do it.
On Tuesday, jurors heard emotional testimony from a former bank teller, who narrowly escaped the killings and from a customer who walked up to witness what had just happened.
On Jan. 19, 2019 Ben Wysokowski was a bank teller at the Suntrust Bank in Sebring.
He was on his lunch break, in a back room when he heard shots ring out.
“I heard a loud bang and I was startled and I didn’t know what was going on at first,” said Wysokowski.
He soon realized his coworkers were being shot and he quickly ran out a back door to a nearby home.
“As soon as they opened the door, I said there’s been a shooting at the bank, call the cops. There’s been a shooting at the bank call the cops,” said Wysokowski.
Victor Sparks soon walked up to the bank to do business. His wife of nearly 60 years waited for him in their van in the parking lot.
Sparks tried to open the bank door but found it was locked. He then looked inside to see what was going on.
“At that time I could look in and see in the lobby and I could see five people laying on their bellies. I could see a man walking at their feet,” Sparks tearfully told jurors.
Inside the bank, Zephen Xaver called 911 to tell a dispatcher what he had just done. He said voices in his head forced him to do it.
A hostage negotiator took the stand to tell jurors he spoke to Xaver on the phone for more than an hour. Xaver also told Deputy Chris Carr that voices in his head were controlling his actions.
Carr finally talked Xaver into giving up, and walking out of the bank, without any more shots being fired.
Xaver now faces the death penalty for his actions. He has entered a guilty plea for five counts of first-degree murder. The jury is hearing testimony to decide if they will recommend life in prison or death.
Konular: Crime