General photo of police caution tape.Photo:Getty
Getty
A South Carolina man faces life in federal prison after his wife’s burned body was discovered in a “makeshift” grave in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Lawrence Joseph Florentine, 56, has pleaded guilty to interstate domestic violence resulting in death, use of a firearm during a crime of violence to cause death, obstruction of justice, and use of fire during the commission of a felony over three years after his wife Nicole Zahnd Florentine’s body was found “charred” with a “.22 caliber bullet wound to the head” determined to be her cause of death, per arelease.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that the two had a “volatile” relationship after marrying in 2018, citing recordings and observations from family. Since December 2019, authorities in York County responded to multiple calls from Nicole, who accused Lawrence of physically abusing her and having “threatened to kill her, burn her, and bury her.” Lawrence was previously arrested twice on domestic violence charges, one which was at least partially dismissed at Nicole’s request.
“Text messages and photographs Florentine sent to Nicole during the fire show that he intentionally burned her belongings and intentionally set the property on fire,” the release read. “Florentine is charged with arson in state court in connection with the fire.”
General image of police caution tape.Getty
“No firearm was found; however, police recovered a lighter and .22 caliber cartridges in the center console and located Nicole’s blood on the rear exterior of Florentine’s abandoned car,” the release noted. “Sometime after June 11, 2020, Florentine fled Kentucky and arrived in Denver, Colorado. On June 23, 2020, he surrendered to the Denver Police.”
Florentine, who faces life in prison, also faces eight years of supervision after his sentence, and a fine of up to $250,000 restitution.
“Domestic violence affects our community in a deep and enduring way,” U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs wrote in a release.
“And we who serve as federal prosecutors for South Carolina have a duty to use all the tools at our disposal—and leverage our partnerships with local law enforcement and prosecutors—to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice. May we honor Nicole’s memory as we work to address and prevent future domestic violence.”
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source: people.com
