The courtroom in Iverness, Florida was full. Even though the room was air conditioned, the air was stagnant and the humidity draped itself uncomfortably among the occupants like dew hangs on the mossy trees early in the morning. Emotions ran wild as the Judge recounted the facts that had led a jury to deliver guilty verdicts to John Couey for child molestation, rape, kidnapping and burying nine year old Jessica Lunsford alive. There was a sense of something evil present as all eyes were focused squarely on John Couey.

Finally, it was time for the family of little Jessica Lunsford, and the world for that matter, to find out what punishment would be delivered for his crimes. The judge read in vivid detail about how Couey had buried this little girl alive, after sexually abusing her. When she was found, police officials say that she had tried to poke holes in the garbage bags, that Couey had placed her in, in an attempt to free herself. What punishment is fitting for such a monster? The judge had to make the call after the jury had voted 10-2 for death. But, as the Judge pondered Couey’s earthly sentence, one would have to wonder if a much more important sentence was also being deliberated.

It is up to each of us to decide if we really believe that there is actually such a place called Hell. Even if we believe it, we have no real idea or personal testimony of what Hell may look like. We can read biblical accounts of what Hell is supposed to look like, but several versions are still debated. Hotly debated I guess you might say! But, while we may not know what Hell may actually be, we are all pretty sure of what it takes to get there. John Couey has met, and exceeded, the threshold of those perceived requisites. Even after carefully considering the arguments from those who advocate forgiveness, Couey is definitely a candidate.

And it is not like this is his first brush with Hell’s application process. He was already a convicted sex offender, having exposed himself to a five year old child. He had admitted to the current crimes against Jessica Lunsford only to have a judge throw out the confession because he apparently did not have a lawyer present. Even with the help of several legal minds to get him acquitted, he was still found guilty. He was portrayed as everything from mentally retarded to a victim himself. But, at the end of the day, he was classified as he should have been from day one. He is one who is worthy of a one way ticket to the badlands. Hallelujah, the system actually did its job.

The judge finished his oral summary of the case and then pulled up close to the microphone, and did his duty. He sentenced Couey to die. Hallelujah, the judge actually did his job. Couey will be put to death, according to the laws of Florida, for the pain that he viciously prescribed to a very defenseless and innocent child. This man will actually be held accountable for his actions, even though his departure from this earth will be much less painful than the fate he dealt to Jessica Lunsford. Even though there are still a series of appeals that he will go through by law, this man’s ticket for the afterlife is already being printed. The system has done its job. He was given every right that he is entitled to and now it is time for this process to end and for the next proverbial phase of judgment to begin.

No one knows what fate Couey will face after he leaves this earth. He may head north or he may head south. He may head nowhere at all. None of us know and none of us need to know. That is a decision that a higher body will make. It is impossible to attach earthly deeds to afterlife fates. But, we do know this. If there is certain criterion for a soul to be sent to Hell, Couey has certainly met the requirements. Surely, there is a possibility that Couey can go to Hell. In fact, to coin an old and fitting phrase for this case, John Couey can go straight to Hell.