Kathy Pinna
Man found guilty in bombing
Jury finds husband delivered pipe bomb wrapped like present.
BY RON WORD ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER Published on October 11, 2003:
JACKSONVILLE - A jury rejected William Jarvis' argument that he was not responsible for delivering a pipe bomb, wrapped as a Christmas present, that killed his ex-wife.
A jury of eight men and four women deliberated 3¶ hours before finding Jarvis guilty of the Jan. 6, 2001, murder of his ex-wife, Lillian Jarvis.
The bomb, wrapped in Christmas paper, was left of the doorstep of her parent's home, where she was staying. It was taken inside and, when she opened the package and the tackle box inside, the bomb exploded into a fireball, killing her and wounding her mother and her boyfriend.
At the time, Jarvis was an air traffic controller at the Federal Aviation Administration's air route traffic control center at Hilliard, north of Jacksonville. Jarvis showed no emotion was a clerk read the verdicts: guilty on first-degree murder, first-degree arson and on two counts involving the injuries sustained by those who survived the fire bomb.
His ex-wife's family held hands as the verdict was read, some of the women had tears in their eyes. Jarvis' family, sitting on the other side of the courtroom, bowed their heads.At the request of attorneys, families from both sides were asked not to comment until the penalty phase of the trial is over.
"We're very pleased with the work the jury did it," said Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin. "It was a difficult case. Obviously, we believe they came up with an appropriate verdict."
Plotkin said a firm date has not been set for the penalty phase, in which the jury will be asked to recommend the death penalty for Jarvis. Their only other sentencing option is to recommend life in prison.
The judge will make the final decision.
Defense attorney Refik Eler refused to comment after the verdict. In closing arguments, Eler said Jarvis was not responsible for his wife's death.
"Bill Jarvis loved his wife," he said. "Bill Jarvis did not make, place or detonate a bomb."
On Thursday, Jarvis took the stand and tried to explain circumstantial evidence linking him to the bombing.
"Circumstantial evidence is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Eler said.
Countered Plotkin: "Circumstantial evidence is not a bad word. It is not bad evidence."
Prosecutors claim Jarvis killed his ex-wife to avoid paying her $44,000 ordered in their divorce settlement.
Plotkin noted the bomb was wrapped in Christmas paper which had pictures of angels on it.
"He took those sweet angels and changed them into angels of death," Plotkin said.
After the court session, Jarvis was allowed to meet with his family in the courtroom, which was ringed by 10 sheriff's deputies.
BY RON WORD ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER Published on October 11, 2003:
JACKSONVILLE - A jury rejected William Jarvis' argument that he was not responsible for delivering a pipe bomb, wrapped as a Christmas present, that killed his ex-wife.
A jury of eight men and four women deliberated 3¶ hours before finding Jarvis guilty of the Jan. 6, 2001, murder of his ex-wife, Lillian Jarvis.
The bomb, wrapped in Christmas paper, was left of the doorstep of her parent's home, where she was staying. It was taken inside and, when she opened the package and the tackle box inside, the bomb exploded into a fireball, killing her and wounding her mother and her boyfriend.
At the time, Jarvis was an air traffic controller at the Federal Aviation Administration's air route traffic control center at Hilliard, north of Jacksonville. Jarvis showed no emotion was a clerk read the verdicts: guilty on first-degree murder, first-degree arson and on two counts involving the injuries sustained by those who survived the fire bomb.
His ex-wife's family held hands as the verdict was read, some of the women had tears in their eyes. Jarvis' family, sitting on the other side of the courtroom, bowed their heads.At the request of attorneys, families from both sides were asked not to comment until the penalty phase of the trial is over.
"We're very pleased with the work the jury did it," said Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin. "It was a difficult case. Obviously, we believe they came up with an appropriate verdict."
Plotkin said a firm date has not been set for the penalty phase, in which the jury will be asked to recommend the death penalty for Jarvis. Their only other sentencing option is to recommend life in prison.
The judge will make the final decision.
Defense attorney Refik Eler refused to comment after the verdict. In closing arguments, Eler said Jarvis was not responsible for his wife's death.
"Bill Jarvis loved his wife," he said. "Bill Jarvis did not make, place or detonate a bomb."
On Thursday, Jarvis took the stand and tried to explain circumstantial evidence linking him to the bombing.
"Circumstantial evidence is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Eler said.
Countered Plotkin: "Circumstantial evidence is not a bad word. It is not bad evidence."
Prosecutors claim Jarvis killed his ex-wife to avoid paying her $44,000 ordered in their divorce settlement.
Plotkin noted the bomb was wrapped in Christmas paper which had pictures of angels on it.
"He took those sweet angels and changed them into angels of death," Plotkin said.
After the court session, Jarvis was allowed to meet with his family in the courtroom, which was ringed by 10 sheriff's deputies.
Trey Haas 
