A branch cutter-wielding Florida man who invaded and attacked a family inside their Orlando home with a peculiar choice of weapon has been sentenced to life in prison.
Lyndell Demps, 52, described as "a repeat violent felony offender," in a news release from the Ninth Circuit Court, was found guilty by a jury on all counts following a three-day trial.
Demps had been charged with home invasion robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the attack in June 2023.
Officers arrived at the scene as the home invasion was happening around 2:00 am.
When the suspect was confronted by the homeowner, police stated he took a pair of branch cutters and began striking the victim in the head before entering and attacking several adults inside.
The release noted one man suffered facial and hand injuries in the attack that was captured on surveillance video inside and outside of the home.
Later that evening, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested Demps after he allegedly broke into a daycare.
They quickly identified Demps, as he matched the suspect description provided in the home invasion incident, reported Click Orlando.
One of the victims was also able to positively identify Demps in a photo lineup.
The home invasion was committed seven months after his release from prison after serving nearly 26 years for an attempted carjacking in 1996.
