Mesac Damas
| Mesac Damas | |
|---|---|
| Criminal charge | Six counts of murder in the first degree |
| Spouse(s) | Guerline Damas (deceased) |
| Children |
Meshach Damas (deceased), Zack Damas (deceased), Maven Damas (deceased), Marven Damas (deceased), Megan Damas (deceased), and Morgan Damas (deceased) |
Mesac Damas (born July 2, 1976, in Naples, Florida) is an Haitian American, who is charged with the murder of his wife and five children.[1]
Murders and flight
The body of Guerline Damas, 32, Damas' wife of ten years, was found in a downstairs bathroom on September 18, 2009, in the family's home in Naples, Florida. The dead bodies of Mesac's five children were found in two upstairs bedrooms.[2] Described as "horrific" by local police, this is the worst crime in the North Naples area history.[3]
On September 17, Mesac Damas is believed to have boarded a plane to Haiti from the Miami International Airport.[4] He was awaiting extradition to the United States in a police arrest in the Haitian capital city of Port-au-Prince.[4]
After being tracked down in Haiti, Damas confessed. When asked why, he replied, "Only God knows why."[5][6]
In jail
While being held in jail for killing his wife and five children, Damas is rejecting his legal name and refusing to shower. The Naples Daily News reported that a late June incident report indicates the smell coming from Mesac Damas' cell has gotten so bad it's making other inmates sick. Damas refused deputies' orders and was sprayed with pepper spray after hiding under his bunk. He also says his name is no longer Damas, but COG, meaning Child of God. Jail logs show Damas, who turned 38 on July 2, 2014, has refused to shower since June 4. He returned to the Naples Jail on May 29 after 56 days at a state mental hospital. A judge will hear from doctors about his competency in August 2014.
In court
On September 22, 2009, Damas confessed to police that he killed his family; he also told news reporters that he wanted to die and go to heaven. Damas has been charged with the six murders and could face either life imprisonment or the death penalty if found guilty.[7]
In August 2010, Damas made a "wild" appearance in a Collier County courtroom. He sang aloud until his lawyer and the presiding judge asked him to calm down. He ceased until the hearing was almost over, but then began again with the outbursts.[8]
The next hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2013, when attorneys will update the judge on progress made in the case.
References
- ↑ "Florida man held in Haiti charged in family slayings", CNN, September 22, 2009
- ↑ "New info released in Damas murders", WBBH, September 13, 2010
- ↑ "Naples family of six found dead", WZVN, September 20, 2009
- 1 2 "Haiti police detain fugitive Mesac Damas after his 5 children, wife found slain in Florida apartment", NY Daily News, September 21, 2009
- ↑ "Damas questioned at Collier County Jail", WBBH, September 23, 2009
- ↑ "Mesac Damas confesses to killing family, wants to go to heaven", Naples Daily News, September 22, 2009, archived from the original on November 26, 2009
- ↑ "Father Charged Over Brutal Child Murders", Sky News, September 20, 2009
- ↑ "Mesac Damas makes wild appearance in Collier courtroom", WBBH, August 13, 2010