From the crime on September 24, 2003, through multiple trials, appeals, and the landmark Hurst v. Florida ruling in 2017. Click on any event to expand and read detailed information.
Thomas Rigterink stabs Jeremy Jarvis 22 times and Allison Sousa 6 times in Winter Haven, Florida.
Thomas Rigterink is arrested and confesses to detectives in a videotaped statement.
Jury convicts Rigterink on two counts of first-degree murder after nine hours of deliberation.
Jury recommends death by a narrow 7-5 vote on each count (non-unanimous).
Circuit Judge J. Dale Durrance sentences Rigterink to death for both murders.
Florida Supreme Court overturns Rigterink's convictions due to improper Miranda rights advisement.
U.S. Supreme Court halts Rigterink's retrial, issuing a stay of the case.
After retrial, Rigterink is again convicted and sentenced to death.
Florida Supreme Court decides Hurst v. State, establishing that non-unanimous jury recommendations violate the Constitution.
Florida Supreme Court overturns Rigterink's death sentence under the Hurst ruling.
Rigterink remains incarcerated in Florida's prison system pending resentencing.
2003
Crime & Arrest
September 24: Double stabbing. October 15: Rigterink arrested and confesses.
2005
Conviction & Sentencing
September: Guilty verdict. October: Death sentence by 7-5 jury vote (non-unanimous).
2017
Hurst Relief Granted
April 6: Death sentence overturned. Non-unanimous jury votes found unconstitutional.