Man sentenced to life in 'Joe Cool' boat slayings
MIAMI (AP) — An Arkansas man convicted of murdering four people aboard the Florida charter boat "Joe Cool" will spend the rest of his life in prison.
A Florida judge sentenced Kirby Archer to five consecutive life terms Tuesday as tearful family members and friends of the victims looked on. The 36-year-old Archer pleaded guilty in July to first-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping and hijacking the boat last year after it left Miami for the Bahamas.
The plea spared Archer the possible death penalty, although he admitted in court that he deserved to die.
Prosecutors say Archer hijacked the boat to escape child molestation and theft investigations in Arkansas.
A mistrial was declared earlier this month for a second man accused in the slayings.
