ORANGE PARK, Fla.-- After two years of pain and two years of re-living that awful day---Somer Thompson's neighbors are exhaling.
"I think that's great for the family and great for the community," neighbor Theo Klaase said.
News of Jarred Harrell's court appearance spread quickly. The overwhelming feeling amongst neighbors was one of relief and in some cases...anger. He plead guilty to all six counts-- which included kidnapping and murder. To some, it's not enough.
"I would have liked to have seen him executed myself. But as long as he's off the street and can't harm any more children," neighbor Wendy Holland said.
"It should have been death. He should have been put to death," another neighbor said.
Harrell's crime was heinous and what some consider "monster-like." He kidnapped little Somer as she walked home from school, sexually abused her, and dumped her body in a landfill. If he would have pleaded guilty, he may have gotten the death penalty-- but since he didn't, he gets life in prison without the chance of parole.
The signs and ribbons that hang in the neighborhood are constant reminders of Harrell's actions and a life taken too soon.
Many hope Harrell remembers too...and will rot the rest of his life.
"I believe in the death sentence, but not in a case like this. It's too easy," Lorraine Williams said.
