FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ A 21-year-old deliveryman accused of beating and setting a Boca Raton woman on fire, killing her, could face the death penalty when he stands trial.
On Monday, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office filed paperwork indicating prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against Jorge Luis Dupre Lachazo.
On Aug. 19, Evelyn "Evy" Udell was home alone, expecting a new washer and dryer she'd purchased from Best Buy to be delivered and installed by Best Buy employees.
However, Lachazo and David Gonzalez, of X.M. Delivery Service, arrived at her door.
Gonzalez and Lachazo removed the old washer and dryer and installed the new appliances in the laundry room near Evy's two-car garage, police said.
Gonzalez went back to his truck to return several missed calls from the office, while Lachazo remained inside the home to show Evy how to use the appliances.
Instead, Lachazo savagely beat Evy with a mallet and set her on fire, Boca Raton police said. He later tried to escape the scene in the delivery truck.
He has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and burglary, among other charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A prosecutors' office spokeswoman declined to comment about the recent filing on how it'll seek the death penalty.
In September, the family of Evelyn Udell made their first public appearance and called for laws regulating the hiring and continued employment of workers who call at people's homes. They also filed a lawsuit against Best Buy and their subcontractors involved in the delivery of Udell's products.
As of now, no such laws exist and the vetting of at-home workers is largely left up to individual employers. Often, these employers rely on subcontractors for their services.
