Citrus County, Florida  -- A Citrus County judge decided to delay sentencing of convicted killer John Couey during a hearing on Thursday.  Attorneys for Couey waived the law that requires sentencing within 30 days of the jury's recommendation.   A Miami jury found Couey guilty earler this month and recommended he be put to death.  The delay will give both sides time to prepare for an upcoming mental retardation hearing.  If Couey is found retarded, he cannot be executed.

Couey was convicted of the kidnapping, rape and murder 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford in February of 2005.  She was taken from her bedroom to a nearby trailer.  Despite a massive search, the third-grader's body was found in a grave in Couey's yard about three weeks after she disappeared.  Lunford was buried alive in a plastic trash bag.