COLLIER COUNTY
The courtroom was filled with shouting, arguing and refusing to follow the judge’s orders, which is what a man convicted of murdering his wife and children hoped for. to appeal his death sentence.
These are just some of the things Messak Damas did during his post-conviction hearing. Damas pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to death.
The hearing is Damas’ only chance to fight for a penalty other than the death penalty.
A mother and five children were killed in 2009. Damas, the father, pleaded guilty to the gruesome murders and was sentenced to death by a judge in 2017.
“They’re going to kill me, mom. Like George Floyd, mom,” Damas shouted in court.
The drama continues years later, with Damas in court for a post-conviction hearing.
Judge Ramiro Manalic, attorneys and state attorneys began the day by mentioning Damas’ reluctance to be there.
“I tried to make it clear to Mr. Damas that there are disadvantages that cannot be brought here. He did not answer my questions in this regard,” said judge Manalich.
Manalich said Damas’ presence in court was necessary. Damas did not want to come. Half an hour later, correctional officers had Damas handcuffed, handcuffed and chained to a chair in the courtroom.
At first he mumbled and moaned, but it quickly turned into screams and shouts.
“Your son is gone! Your son is gone! Your son is gone, mom,” Damas said in court Tuesday.
“I put up with some past behavior. Now I can escalate it to yelling and screaming,” Judge Manalich said in response to Demos’ outburst.
Damas didn’t stay long, and back in the cell, the defense and state attorneys began questioning witnesses.
“It’s just the facts, the facts, you know, the kids that were killed and the way they were killed,” the witness said Tuesday. “He’s very paranoid, I’ve talked about it, and delusional. And he said that some zombies are involved in this case, and voodoo is being done.”
Damas was brought back into the courtroom after the state and defense questioned two witnesses. He was silent with closed eyes and refused to answer questions.
Damas’ trial will continue Thursday at 9 a.m. and is expected to conclude Friday.
