'Pumping Party' Murderer Sentenced
Man Gets 30 Years For Woman's Death
POSTED: Wednesday, November 26, 2003
MIAMI -- A man who killed a woman by injecting industrial strength silicone into her buttocks was sentenced Wednesday.
A judge sentenced Mark Hawkins to 30 years in prison for third-degree murder, culpable negligence, and practicing medicine without a license. A jury convicted Hawkins in May.Vera Lawrence, 52, died after Hawkins injected silicone into her in April 2001.During the trial, the state said Hawkins and his partner Hendrix would buy a gallon of silicone for about $8, and then tour the country hosting so-called pumping parties. They allegedly injected women and transgender people who wanted cut-rate "body sculpting" or cosmetic enhancements.Prosecutors say Lawrence's death was a direct result of the silicone injections. Hawkins and Hendrix injected 12,000 cc's of industrial strength silicone into each of Lawrence's buttocks.Hendrix was given the maximum sentence of five years for operating without a license. He was given "time served" for a culpable negligence conviction.
A judge sentenced Mark Hawkins to 30 years in prison for third-degree murder, culpable negligence, and practicing medicine without a license. A jury convicted Hawkins in May.Vera Lawrence, 52, died after Hawkins injected silicone into her in April 2001.During the trial, the state said Hawkins and his partner Hendrix would buy a gallon of silicone for about $8, and then tour the country hosting so-called pumping parties. They allegedly injected women and transgender people who wanted cut-rate "body sculpting" or cosmetic enhancements.Prosecutors say Lawrence's death was a direct result of the silicone injections. Hawkins and Hendrix injected 12,000 cc's of industrial strength silicone into each of Lawrence's buttocks.Hendrix was given the maximum sentence of five years for operating without a license. He was given "time served" for a culpable negligence conviction. Previous Stories:
- August 7, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Lawyer Seeks New Trial
- July 31, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Defendant Sentenced
- June 10, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Jurors Testify As Attorney Seeks New Trial
- June 3, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial Jurors Headed Back To Court
- May 23, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial Goes To Jury
- May 21, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial: Jury Hears Police Audio Tapes
- May 15, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Witness Describes Horrific Death
- May 14, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial: 'Bizarre, Flamboyant, Unusual"
- May 14, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial: Witness Says Men Claimed To Be Doctors
- May 13, 2003: Testimony: Bloodstained Towels Found Near 'Pumping Party'
- May 7, 2003: Jury Dismissed In 'Pumping Party' Trial After Allegations Of Leaks
- May 1, 2003: Jury Selection Begins In 'Pumping Party' Death
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