A former secretary was convicted of first-degree murder Thursday for hiring hit men to kill her wealthy husband, apparently because she feared a bitter divorce would end her jet-set lifestyle.
A Circuit Court jury of eight men and four women, who deliberated for 10 hours during three days, also found Joyce Cohen, 39, guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a firearm during a felony. Cohen could be sentenced to die in Florida's electric chair.Cohen, wearing a black dress, showed no emotion as she was fingerprinted in the courtroom and then led away to jail. Judge Fredricka Smith scheduled a sentencing hearing for Monday.
Cohen was convicted of hiring three hit men who shot to death her 52-year-old husband, Stanley, on March 7, 1986, in the couple's home. The wealthy building developer, who once employed Joyce as his secretary, died from four gunshot wounds to the head.
"We are disappointed, saddened, but the jury has spoken and we respect their verdict," defense attorney Alan Ross said.
Assistant State Attorney Kevin DiGregory declined comment until after Cohen is sentenced.
"The case is still pending and I will have no comment until after the second phase of the trial," DiGregory said. "We are seeking the death penalty."
Stanley Cohen's son, Gary, and daughter, Gerri, both from a previous marriage, wept in the courtroom.
"We're ecstatic and we thank the state attorney," Gary Cohen said. "Miami police never gave up in the case and we'll be grateful forever to them."
Arthur Cohen, Stanley Cohen's brother, said he hopes the jury will send Joyce Cohen to the electric chair.
"An eye for an eye," he said. "He (Stanley) had no choice, an eye for an eye."
Gary Cohen and his sister have filed a $5 million civil lawsuit against Joyce Cohen claiming she was responsible for their father's death. The suit is pending.
During the 3 1/2-week trial, witnesses said the couple lived in the fast lane, hobnobbing with celebrities, having extramarital affairs and commuting by private jet to their ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Joyce Cohen also was said to have used cocaine.
DiGregory portrayed Cohen as a clever, calculating and conniving killer who had grown bored with her marriage to a man 16 years her senior. Not only had the couple fallen out of love, but they had not had sex with each other for two years, the prosecutor said.
DiGregory claimed Cohen stood to receive a $1.4 million inheritance and another $600,000 in insurance and other residuals from the death of her husband, a millionaire building developer.
But Ross described as "stupid" the state's contention that Cohen tried to avoid a bitter divorce that would leave her penniless by hiring three home-invasion robbers to kill her husband.
Ross said Cohen's 11-year marriage and her husband's adultery guaranteed her a hefty divorce settlement.