Louis Bernard Gaskin

Case information

Louis Bernard Gaskin (also known as Louis B. Gaskins; “Pappa”) had a date of birth of 03/11/67. He was assigned Florida Department of Corrections DC# 751166. The case was in the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Flagler County (Case # 90-01). The sentencing judge was The Honorable Kim Hammond.

Other details

Trial counsel was Raymond Cass, Jr. (Assistant Public Defender). Direct appeal counsel was Christopher Quarles (Assistant Public Defender). Collateral appeals counsel was Robert Strain and Carol Rodriguez (CCRC-M).

Gaskin’s date of offense was 12/20/89. His date of sentence was 06/19/90.

The offence

On the evening of 12/20/89, Louis Gaskin spotted a light in the Palm Coast home of Robert and Georgette Sturmfels. Gaskin parked his car in the woods and, with a loaded gun, approached the Sturmfels home. Gaskin saw the Sturmfels in the den and fired two shots through the window, striking Mr. Sturmfels. When Mrs. Sturmfels rose to leave the room, Gaskin shot her once and Mr. Sturmfels once more. Mrs. Sturmfels crawled into the hallway, and when Gaskin saw her through an outside door, he shot her again. Gaskin then pulled out a window screen, broke a window, and entered the house. He fired one more bullet into each of the Sturmfels’ heads and covered the bodies with blankets.

Gaskin then burglarized the house, taking lamps, VCRs, cash, and jewelry.

Gaskin then went to the home of Joseph and Mary Rector, whom he also found in the den of their home. While Gaskin cut their phone lines, the Rectors turned off the lights and went to bed. Gaskin threw a log and rocks at the house to rouse the Rectors. When Mr. Rector went to investigate the disturbance, Gaskin shot him from outside the house. The Rectors managed to escape in their car, with Gaskin firing shots at the car.

Gaskin was implicated in the crimes by Gaskin’s girlfriend’s cousin, Alfonso Golden. Golden told authorities that Gaskin arrived at Golden’s home on the night of the murders to drop off some Christmas presents. Gaskin told Golden that he had “jacked” the presents and left the victims “stiff.” Golden learned of the robberies and murders after watching the news and called the authorities to report Gaskin’s involvement in the crimes.

The “presents” left at the Golden’s home were subsequently identified as belonging to the Sturmfels.

A different account of the same events described Gaskin dressing for murder on the night of November 20, 1989, planning to kill and pillage, and wearing a black ninja costume to blend in with the night. It described him walking out of his home armed with a semi-automatic .22-caliber rifle. It described Robert Sturmfels (56) in his recliner and Georgette Sturmfels (55) on the sofa in their Palm Coast, Florida home. It described Gaskin driving aimlessly in the darkness searching for a target and parking beneath a grove of trees after passing 10 Ricker Place, moving silently toward the house, standing in silence, and circling the house multiple times. It described him raising the rifle to his shoulder, aiming, and firing, then firing again, and then a third shot hitting Robert Sturmfels in the back and he fell again. It described Georgette Sturmfels being struck by a bullet and bleeding heavily from a back wound and crawling down the hallway out of Gaskin’s sight. It described Gaskin seeing her through a doorway and firing once more and she crumpled to the floor.

It described Gaskin pulling a hunting knife and slashing a window screen at the back of the house, unlatching the window, entering, reloading the gun, walking over to Robert and shooting him in the back of the head, then placing the barrel of the rifle against the back of Georgette’s head and blowing her brains out.

It described him gathering items he could sell: jewelry, VCRs, lamps, a clock, an iron, and household appliances. It described him checking for guns and drugs but finding none and checking Georgette’s purse finding only credit cards. It described Robert’s wallet containing $300 and more cards so he took it. It described Gaskin placing the items in the victims’ truck, transferring his loot to his own car through the woods, and leaving the bodies inside the house.

For the Rector home, it described Joseph and Mary Rector being on their way to bed after watching the eleven o’clock news when they heard a thump outside. It described Joseph investigating and seeing nothing, with noises continuing. It included verbatim that “after hearing a similar noise for the third time, Rector told his wife to call the sheriff. Mrs. Rector soon discovered that their phone was not working. They took the phone into bedroom where they tried plugging it into another jack without success. As he stood in the dark bedroom, Rector saw his window shade appear to explode. He looked down, saw blood, and realized he had been shot.”

It described Robert and Mary rushing out of the house and climbing into their car, Robert needing to get to the hospital, and more shots ringing out with bullets thudding into the car. It described the Rectors reaching the hospital and calling police. It described detectives arriving at the Rector home and it being ransacked. It described a postal carrier noticing a broken window at the Sturmfels home and reporting it, and police finding the bodies of Robert and Georgette.

It also described Gaskin burglarizing the Rector home and driving to Alfonso Golden’s home, asking his cousin to store the stolen items. It described Golden agreeing, with Gaskin volunteering that he’d “jacked” the loot and telling Golden that the victims are “stiff.” It included verbatim that “If you don’t believe it,” Gaskin bragged, “watch the news.”

It described Golden waiting a few days but eventually contacting police. It described Gaskin being arrested and quickly giving a detailed confession. It described him leading authorities to a canal where he’d hidden the credit cards, wallet, and other items. It included verbatim that, “God said, ‘No.’ The devil said, ‘Yes’...The devil had more of a hold [on me] than God did.”

It described Joseph Rector recovering from his wounds.

Investigation and arrest

Gaskin was arrested on 12/30/89. More stolen property was found in a search of his home. After signing a rights-waiver form, Gaskin confessed to the crimes and led the authorities to further evidence of the crime in a nearby canal.

Trial

On 03/27/90, Gaskin was indicted on the following counts:

• Count I - First-Degree Murder (Robert Sturmfels)
• Count II - First-Degree Murder–Felony (Robert Sturmfels)
• Count III - First-Degree Murder (Georgette Sturmfels)
• Count IV - First-Degree Murder–Felony (Georgette Sturmfels)
• Count V - Armed Robbery (Sturmfels)
• Count VI - Armed Burglary (Sturmfels)
• Count VII - Attempted First-Degree Murder (Joseph Rector)
• Count VIII - Attempted First-Degree Murder (Mary Rector)
• Count IX - Armed Robbery (Rectors)
• Count X - Armed Burglary (Rectors)

On 06/15/90, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment, except on Count VIII, where the jury returned a not guilty verdict.

On 06/18/90, the jury recommended death sentences by two votes of 8-4.

Sentencing

On 06/19/90, Gaskin was sentenced as follows:

• Count I - First-Degree Murder – Death
• Count II - First-Degree Murder – Death
• Count III - First-Degree Murder – Death
• Count IV - First-Degree Murder – Death
• Count V - Armed Robbery – 30 years
• Count VI - Armed Burglary – Life Imprisonment
• Count VII - Attempted First-Degree Murder – Life Imprisonment
• Count IX - Armed Robbery – 30 years
• Count X - Armed Burglary – Life Imprisonment

On 08/09/90, the State and Defense agreed to resentencing on Counts V & IX. Gaskin was resentenced as follows:

• Count V - Armed Robbery – Life Imprisonment
• Count IX - Armed Robbery – Life Imprisonment

Prior incarceration history in Florida

On 06/19/90, Gaskin was sentenced to 2.5 years each for two charges of Burglary that occurred on 06/09/88.

At the time of sentencing for the Sturmfels murders, Gaskin was under indictment for numerous crimes. In a plea agreement with the State, whereby Gaskin avoided multiple death sentences, Gaskin pled guilty to the following charges:

• 09/15/1989 — 1ST DEG MUR,COM.OF FELONY — sentenced to 06/26/1990 VOLUSIA 9000068 and SENTENCED TO LIFE
• 09/15/1989 — ROBBERY W/FIREARM OR D/WEAPON — sentenced to 06/26/1990 VOLUSIA 9000068 and SENTENCED TO LIFE
• 12/20/1989 — AGG ASSLT-W/WPN NO INTENT TO KILL — sentenced to 08/09/1990 FLAGLER 9000311 and 15Y 0M 0D
• 12/20/1989 — POSS.FIREARM BY FELON — sentenced to 08/09/1990 FLAGLER 9000017 and 15Y 0M 0D
• 11/20/1986 — 1ST DG MUR/PREMED. OR ATT. — sentenced to 08/09/1990 FLAGLER 9000007 and SENTENCED TO LIFE
• 11/20/1986 — BURGLARY,ARMED W/EXP. OR WEAPON — sentenced to 08/09/1990 FLAGLER 9000007 and SENTENCED TO LIFE

Appeals

On 07/18/90, Gaskin filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court, citing the following errors: denial of a motion for change of venue; erroneously adjudicating him guilty for both felony and premeditated murder in each of the two deaths; failure of the court stenographer to record certain bench proceedings; impermissible comments made by the trial judge; unconstitutional capital sentencing statute; Gaskin’s absence from a firing range demonstration; and erroneous consideration of aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

On 12/05/91, the FSC ruled that the Circuit Court improperly adjudicated Gaskin guilty of both felony and premeditated murder and ordered two of the death sentences vacated, leaving two death sentences intact and affirming the other convictions and sentences.

On 03/16/92, Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court that was granted on 06/29/92. The USSC remanded the case to the FSC for reconsideration in light of its ruling on the constitutionality of Florida’s heinous, atrocious, and cruel aggravating circumstance.

On 03/18/93, the FSC again affirmed the convictions and sentences of Gaskin.

On 08/10/93, Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court that was denied on 10/12/93.

On 03/21/95, Gaskin filed a 3.850 Motion with the Circuit Court that was denied, without evidentiary hearing, on 01/17/97.

On 03/17/97, Gaskin filed a 3.850 Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court, citing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.

On 07/01/99, the FSC remanded the case to the Circuit Court for an evidentiary hearing.

On 04/13/00, the Circuit Court held an evidentiary hearing and denied the 3.850 Motion on 08/24/00.

On 09/28/00, Gaskin filed a 3.850 Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court, citing issues of ineffective assistance of counsel.

On 06/13/02, the FSC affirmed the denial of the 3.850 Motion.

On 06/27/03, Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida that was denied on 03/23/06.

On 04/19/06, Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit on 04/19/06 that was pending.

Timeline

• 12/20/89 — Gaskin committed the Sturmfels and Rector crimes.
• 12/30/89 — Gaskin was arrested.
• 03/27/90 — Gaskin was indicted on ten counts.
• 06/15/90 — The jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts except Count VIII (not guilty).
• 06/18/90 — The jury recommended death sentences by two votes of 8-4.
• 06/19/90 — Gaskin was sentenced, including death sentences.
• 07/18/90 — Gaskin filed a direct appeal with the Florida Supreme Court.
• 08/09/90 — The State and Defense agreed to resentencing on Counts V & IX; resentencing was ordered.
• 01/17/97 — The 3.850 Motion was denied without evidentiary hearing.
• 03/16/92 — Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court.
• 06/29/92 — The U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari.
• 12/05/91 — The FSC vacated two death sentences and affirmed remaining convictions and sentences.
• 03/18/93 — The FSC again affirmed the convictions and sentences.
• 10/12/93 — The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari.
• 03/21/95 — Gaskin filed a 3.850 Motion with the Circuit Court.
• 07/01/99 — The FSC remanded for an evidentiary hearing.
• 04/13/00 — The Circuit Court held an evidentiary hearing.
• 08/24/00 — The Circuit Court denied the 3.850 Motion.
• 09/28/00 — Gaskin filed a 3.850 Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court.
• 06/13/02 — The FSC affirmed the denial of the 3.850 Motion.
• 06/27/03 — Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the U.S. District Court.
• 03/23/06 — The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus was denied.
• 04/19/06 — Gaskin filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit.

Outcome

The jury convicted Gaskin on the murder counts relating to Robert Sturmfels and Georgette Sturmfels and on the armed robbery and armed burglary counts relating to the Sturmfels and Rector victims. The jury found Gaskin not guilty on Count VIII (Attempted First-Degree Murder (Mary Rector)). The jury recommended death sentences by two votes of 8-4. Gaskin received death sentences and additional terms of imprisonment.

The FSC ruled on 12/05/91 that the Circuit Court improperly adjudicated Gaskin guilty of both felony and premeditated murder and ordered two of the death sentences vacated, leaving two death sentences intact and affirming the other convictions and sentences. The FSC again affirmed the convictions and sentences on 03/18/93.

Aftermath

Joseph Rector recovered from his wounds.

Gaskin’s confession included the statements: “jacked” and “stiff.” Gaskin also included the statement: “God said, ‘No.’ The devil said, ‘Yes’...The devil had more of a hold [on me] than God did.” Gaskin also stated: “If you don’t believe it,” Gaskin bragged, “watch the news.”

The statement “I think of God,” he said. “I play checkers and read the Bible.” was included in relation to Gaskin.