South Florida

Man Convicted in Fatal 2002 Davie Waffle House Shooting to Remain on Death Row After New Sentencing

What to Know

  • Authorities say Gerhard Hojan and Jimmy Mickel robbed the Davie restaurant in March 2002.

A man convicted of killing two Waffle House employees in Broward County will remain on death row.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports Gerhard Hojan was sentenced to death for a second time on Tuesday.

Hojan was previously sentenced in 2003 following a 9-3 jury recommendation. Recent changes in state law require a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty, and that's what a new jury decided after being empaneled in October.

Authorities say Hojan and Jimmy Mickel robbed the Davie restaurant in March 2002. Hojan was a regular customer, and Mickel worked there. Hojan fatally shot two employees, Christina Delarosa and Willy Absolu, as they kneeled on a freezer floor. A third employee was shot but survived.

Mickel was convicted of armed kidnapping. He's serving multiple life sentences for his role in the crime.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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