Bio

Anton Joseph Krawczuk was born on June 8, 1959, in the United States. Krawczuk lived in Lee County, Florida, with his co-defendant, William Andrew “Billy” Poirier. The two men both knew David Staker and had a casual sexual relationship with him for about six months before the crime.

Krawczuk and Poirier later decided to rob and kill Staker. According to Krawczuk’s confession, the plan was made about a week before the murder. Krawczuk arranged the visit to Staker’s home, picked up Poirier from work, and parked the car at a shopping center within walking distance of Staker’s house.

After Staker was killed, Krawczuk and Poirier stole property from his home, including televisions, stereo equipment, firearms, and other items. They later sold or stored some of the stolen property, which helped lead investigators back to them.

Murder Story

On September 13, 1990, a decomposing body was found in a rural wooded area of Charlotte County, Florida. The body was later identified as David Staker. Before the body was identified, Staker’s employer had contacted authorities in Lee County because he had missed several days of work and had not picked up his paycheck. When the employer went to Staker’s home, the front door was open and the house appeared to have been robbed.

A man named Gary Sigelmier later contacted law enforcement and reported that he believed he might have purchased property stolen from Staker’s home. Sigelmier identified Anton Krawczuk and Billy Poirier as the men who sold him the stolen goods. Deputies from Lee and Charlotte Counties went to the home shared by Krawczuk and Poirier, brought them to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Krawczuk waived his Miranda rights before confessing to Staker’s murder.

In his confession, Krawczuk stated that he and Poirier had known Staker for about six months. He said the two had decided about a week before the crime to rob and kill him. Krawczuk arranged a visit with Staker, picked up Poirier from work, and parked near Staker’s home before both men walked there.

Once inside Staker’s home, the three men watched television for about 20 to 30 minutes. Krawczuk then suggested that they go to the bedroom. While they were in the bedroom, Krawczuk became aggressive and began choking Staker. Poirier helped by holding Staker’s mouth and nose shut, cutting off his air. Staker fought back and tried to strike Krawczuk with a lamp, but Poirier took the lamp away. Krawczuk continued choking Staker for about ten minutes.

After the choking, Krawczuk poured drain cleaner and water into Staker’s throat. Poirier put a washcloth in Staker’s mouth and taped it shut. Krawczuk then tied Staker’s ankles and placed him in the bathtub.

Krawczuk and Poirier then loaded Staker’s pickup truck with stolen property from the house. The stolen items included two television sets, stereo equipment, a video recorder, five rifles, and a pistol. They also placed Staker’s body in the truck and drove to Sigelmier’s house, where some stolen items were sold and others were left for storage.

After leaving Sigelmier’s house, Krawczuk and Poirier returned to their car, moved Staker’s body into it, abandoned Staker’s truck, and drove to a rural location that Krawczuk had previously scouted. They dumped Staker’s body there.

Krawczuk was indicted on October 3, 1990, for first-degree murder and robbery. On September 27, 1991, a jury found him guilty on all counts. On February 5, 1992, the jury recommended death by a 12–0 vote. On February 13, 1992, he was sentenced to death for first-degree murder and to 15 years for robbery. Co-defendant William Andrew Poirier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery and received a 35-year sentence.

Krawczuk appealed his conviction and death sentence. On March 17, 1994, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed both. In 2018, the Florida Supreme Court also denied his later request for relief under Hurst v. Florida, leaving the death sentence in place.