Polk County jury returns life verdict for Jo Lobato
On October 18, the jury determined that Lobato should be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
On October 14, a Polk County jury convicted Jo Lobato of first-degree murder and other charges for crimes that occurred in November 2020. (The Ledger covered the conviction here.) In April, Lobato’s original trial ended in a mistrial.
On October 18, the jury returned went out to deliberate on the penalty phase. Around 6:00 p.m., the jury returned its penalty phase verdict. The jury determined unanimously that the State proved two of the four aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt. Ultimately, the jury determined that Lobato should be sentenced to life in prison without parole (LWOP).
The full penalty phase verdict form can be found here.
A sentencing order has not yet been entered, but the Court must follow the jury’s verdict and sentence Lobato to LWOP.
Lobato’s brother, Angel Lobato, is set to be tried separately for his role in these crimes. His trial is expected to proceed in early 2025. TFDP previously covered the appeal in Angel’s case related to the application of Florida’s 2023 capital sentencing statute to his case. (See here.)
With a life sentence this means he'll be able to make a contribution rather than sitting in a private cell getting room service three times a day. He will now have a work assignment and he will put in no less than 40 and at least sometimes 60 hours per week and the food service department, the laundry or other areas that involve janitorial service