Allred sentenced to die for double-murder

SANFORD - Andrew Allred was sentenced to die more than a year after he shot and killed Ocala native Tiffany Barwick and her friend Michael Ruschak in Oviedo.

Allred appeared in front of Circuit Judge O.H Eaton on Wednesday afternoon in shackles. His face was partially covered with his long and unkempt beard and hair.

His mother and another relative sat in the courtroom watching, as were the friends and family of Barwick and Ruschak.

Eaton gave Allred a chance to speak. Allred responded with silence.

On Sept. 24, 2007, Allred shot and killed Barwick, a West Port High School graduate who was his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend, and Ruschak, 22, of Oviedo. Afterward, he pleaded guilty to the murders, waived his right to a jury and did not attend his penalty phase hearings.

The state sought the death penalty, saying that Allred's crime was cold, calculated and premeditated. Prosecutors also said it was heinous, atrocious and cruel.

The defense had argued for a life sentence, saying Allred had cooperated with law enforcement and taken the responsibility to plead guilty to the crimes and that he had mental health problems.

Eaton said on Wednesday aggravating factors in the case far outweighed the mitigating circumstances.

He gave Allred two death sentences for the murders of Barwick and Ruschak, two life sentences for shooting Oviedo homeowner Eric Roberts in the leg and for burglary, and five years in prison for ramming his car into Barwick's.

This was the third time Eaton has handed down a death sentence in his 23-year career.

Assistant State Attorney Stewart Stone said with a content smile that the judge issued a "proper sentence" and that "he followed the law."

Public defender Tim Caudill had no comment.

Tiffany Barwick's parents, Tony and Kim Barwick, who live in Ocala, got the closure they had been waiting for.

"After this day, he's off our books," said Tony Barwick. "It's over."

The couple said they will no longer look up the court dockets and will not go to his execution, which could be more than a decade away from this date.

But Kim Barwick, who bears a tattoo of Tiffany's face on her shoulder and carries her picture on a necklace, said she will become more active in Ocala in educating the public about dating violence, using Tiffany as an example.

The Legislature passed the "Barwick-Ruschak Act" last year, extending protections of domestic violence victims to dating relationships.

The Ruschaks said that Allred's sentencing today was not closure for them.

"It won't be over until he'll be put to death," said Janice Ruschak, Michael's mother. "And, yes, I'll go to his execution."

She said she still checks Michael's MySpace page every day, and his cell phone is still on. "Some kids still call and leave him messages, but I don't listen to the messages. They've told me that they're glad the phone is still on."

Allred will be sent to prison in the next few days, where his long hair and beard will be shaved. He will be placed on death row.

The case will next go to an automatic appeal, and the process could take many years. The prosecution team said they doubt his death sentence will change during the appeal process.

The future steps no longer matter to the Barwicks.

"After today, he'll have to answer to a higher judge," said Kim Barwick.

Contact reporter Naseem Miller at 352-867-4140 or naseem.miller@starbanner.com.