Anton Krawczuk

Case details

Anton Krawczuk (born 06/08/59) was tried in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Lee County (Case #90-2007CFB).

Background

A decomposing body later identified as David Staker was found on 09/13/90 in the woods of Charlotte County.

David Staker’s employer had previously notified authorities in Lee County that Staker had not retrieved his paycheck and had missed several workdays. When Staker’s employer went to Staker’s house, the front door was open, and disarray at the house suggested it may have been robbed.

Gary Sigelmier contacted the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and reported that he believed he might have purchased items stolen from Staker’s residence.

Anton Krawczuk and his codefendant, Billy Poirier, were identified as the individuals who sold Sigelmier the stolen property.

The offence

Krawczuk and his codefendant, Billy Poirier, decided about a week before the crime to murder and rob Staker. Krawczuk set up a time with Staker when both he and Poirier would visit the victim at his home. Krawczuk drove to Poirier’s workplace to pick him up, and Poirier changed clothes at home before Krawczuk parked the car in a shopping center within walking distance of Staker’s house.

Krawczuk and Poirier walked to Staker’s house and proceeded to spend the next half hour watching television. Per Krawczuk’s suggestion, the three men proceeded to the bedroom. While the three men were naked on the bed, Krawczuk began acting aggressively and began to choke Staker. Poirier held Staker’s mouth and nose shut to cut off the victim’s oxygen. Staker fought his attackers and attempted to assault Krawczuk with a lamp, but Poirier took the lamp away from Staker. Krawczuk continued choking him for approximately ten minutes.

After this time, Krawczuk poured drain cleaner and water twice down Staker’s throat. Poirier put a washcloth in Staker’s mouth and taped it in. Before putting Staker in the bathtub, Krawczuk tied the victim’s ankles together.

Krawczuk and Poirier loaded up Staker’s pickup truck with stolen goods that included stereo equipment, two television sets, five rifles, a video recorder, and a pistol. The pair also put the victim’s body in the truck before driving to Sigelmier’s house.

At that point, Sigelmier bought some of the stolen items and agreed to store the other items. Krawczuk and Poirier drove back to their car, moved the victim’s body into it, and then proceeded to abandon Staker’s vehicle. Krawczuk drove to a rural place that he had previously scouted out, and they abandoned the victim’s body.

Investigation and arrest

Deputies from both Lee and Charlotte Counties went to a Lee County house shared by Krawczuk and Poirier. The deputies found the suspects at their residence and brought them back to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Krawczuk waived his Miranda rights and confessed to Staker’s murder. As stated by Krawczuk in his confession, Krawczuk and Poirier both had a casual homosexual relationship with Staker for a six-month duration.

Trial

Krawczuk was indicted on 10/03/90 on:

• Count I: First-Degree Murder
• Count II: Robbery

On 09/27/91, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment.

On 02/05/92, the jury recommended death by a vote of 12-0.

Sentencing was conducted on 02/13/92.

Participants

Sentencing Judge: The Honorable James R. Thompson Attorney, Trial: Barbara LeGrande – Private Attorney Direct Appeal: Jennifer Y. Fogle – Assistant Public Defender Attorney Collateral Appeals: Melissa M. Donoho & Suzanne Keffer – CCRC-S

Sentencing

On 02/13/92, Krawczuk was sentenced as follows:

• Count I: First-Degree Murder – Death
• Count III: Robbery – 15 years

Codefendant information

William Andrew Poirier (DC #718440) was sentenced to 35 years for second-degree murder and 15 years for robbery (CC #90-2007).

Appeals

Krawczuk filed a direct appeal to the Florida Supreme Court on 03/11/92. Issues raised included whether the trial court erred in not granting the defendant’s motion to suppress the confession and whether the trial court erred in failing to find the existence of nonstatutory mitigators.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence on 03/17/94.

Krawczuk filed a petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court on 07/05/94, which was denied on 10/03/94.

Krawczuk filed a 3.850 motion to the Circuit Court on 10/03/95, which was amended on 03/15/02. The motion was currently pending.

Outcome

Krawczuk was sentenced to death on 02/13/92 and his conviction and sentence were affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court on 03/17/94. The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari on 10/03/94.

Other details

Florida Supreme Court Docket #79491 listed Anton J. Krawczuk as appellant and the State of Florida as appellee.