Thursday, November 5, 1998
Andrew Richard Lukehart vs State of Florida

No. 90,507

Place of Origin
Duval County

Facts
Lukehart was tried and convicted for the Feb. 25, 1996, murder of a minor child Gabrielle Hanshaw. The victim was one of two children of 22-year-old Misty Rhue, who lived on Epson Lane. Lukehart was Rhue's boyfriend. The day of the killing, Lukehart mysteriously fled the house in Rhue's car, and Gabrielle was missing. Lukehart later turned himself into police, gave several inconsistent stories, but finally said the baby had died when he accidently dropped her on the floor, causing her to strike her head. He led police to a pond where Gabrielle's body was found. Experts said the injuries were inconsistent with an accidental fall. The jury at trial recommended the death penalty 9-to3, and the judge sentenced him to die. He appeals.