A Cocoa man convicted of murder in the death of a woman buried alive a decade ago was sentenced to death Friday afternoon.

  • Vahtiece Kirkman, 37, was convicted in the 2006 murder of Darice Knowles
  • A jury recommended the death penalty
  • Christopher Pratt, Kirkman's accomplice, is serving 10 years for murder

A jury convicted Vahtiece Kirkman earlier this month for killing Darice Knowles 10 years ago in Cocoa.

The Bahamian woman was taken to a wooded area, where she was bound and gagged. She was then thrown into a hole and covered in concrete. Knowles’ body was found four years later.

During the trial, Christopher Pratt, Kirkman’s accomplice, testified against him. Pratt said Kirkman was concerned that Knowles knew too much about a previous murder they had committed 17 days earlier.

Pratt said that’s why Kirkman ordered Knowles to be killed. Kirkman is already serving a life sentence for the murder.

The jury in this case recommended 10 to 2 that Kirkman get the death penalty.

Check back for updates on this developing story.