State will prosecute death case against man charged in July 4 fatal stabbing of Orlando girl

ORLANDO, Fla. – Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the man accused of stabbing an Orlando girl.

Orange County officials said Jerry Dorisme raped and murdered 13-year-old Rose Dieujuste on July 4 as she went to a friend’s apartment.

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“We saw that the crime was committed. It was particularly cruel and despicable,” said prosecutor Andrew Bain. “We concluded that this would be the appropriate sentence, that it would rise to the level of a non-regular murder sentence that we have under our law.”

Dorisme has a hearing next month to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Who is Jerry Dorisme?

According to neighbors, Dorisme was homeless, frequenting the area and was seen watching girls.

On the day of the alleged murder, Dorisme was spotted on video surveillance at a store purchasing the kitchen knife that officers said was used in Rose’s murder.

Video footage from the Palmetto Lakeside Complex, where Rose and her family lived, showed Dorisme walking a distance behind Rose minutes before she was killed, officials said.

Jerry Dorisme’s previous arrests

Dorisme previously served a prison sentence for assaulting an underage girl and was initially charged with lewd and lascivious molestation, which was later downgraded to aggravated child molestation.

Because of the downgraded charges, Dorisme was never required to register as a sex offender. He had been arrested several times for domestic violence against a former girlfriend and later violated his restraining order.

Dorisme was also played by Baker just weeks before Rose was murdered. A 911 caller said Dorisme was running down the street with a knife. When deputies responded, Dorisme struck two of the three responding deputies.

Family speaks out after 13-year-old found murdered in Orange County

Officers said they caught Dorisme returning to the same spot while walking around the condo’s pool.

He is currently in the Orange County Jail

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