Man faces death penalty for murdering pregnant woman refusing to abort baby

A Florida man faces the death penalty for murdering a pregnant teenager who refused to abort her unborn baby.

A Seminole County jury Oct. 27 found 23-year-old Donovan L. Faison guilty of first-degree murder, killing an unborn child and burglary, according to a press release.

In November of 2022, Faison shot and killed 18-year-old Kaylin Fiengo in her car at Coastline Park in Sanford, police reported. 

After waiting 10 months for a search warrant, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office subpoenaed and obtained digital content from Faison’s and Fiengo’s mobile phones, cellular carriers and social media accounts, Communication Director for the State Attorney’s Office Matt Reed told The Lion in an email, adding that the evidence produced enough “probable cause to indict and arrest Faison.”  

“Faison and Fiengo agreed in their text messages that they were both responsible for the pregnancy, and he wanted it ended to save his other relationship,” Reed said.  

When Fiengo texted Faison a photo of two positive pregnancy tests, Faison accused her of lying and then demanded “Abortion!!!” in a separate text, according to the press release. Faison was angry and concerned because “he was currently living with another woman who suspected him of cheating,” the press release states.  

Faison texted a friend and explicitly stated his intentions to take Fiengo’s life. “On my brothers [sic] grave, I’m gonna crop her out,” he wrote. 

Prosecutor Domenick Leo told jurors such texts clearly link Faison to the subsequent murder. 

“Phones are an extension of your mind and your body – it’s the reason we can give you clear, convincing evidence,” Leo said during closing arguments. “He said he was going to do it, then he did it. The police got the right guy.” 

On Nov. 11, 2022, Fiengo, who was near the end of her first trimester, told a friend she was meeting Faison at Coastline Park. That night, she was found dead in her car from a gunshot to her head. Beside her lay a bullet casing and an ultrasound photo depicting her unborn baby, The New York Post reported.  

“This was an execution-style killing,” prosecutor Stewart Stone said, telling jurors they “should consider the cold, calculated, premeditated nature of this killing.” 

In the state of Florida, at least eight members of a 12-person jury must vote in favor of the death penalty, Reed said. The jury voted 11-1 against Faison.  

Aggravating factors that can invoke the death penalty in Florida include crimes that are heinous, cold or calculated. Other factors include multiple or particularly vulnerable victims or any victim under the age of 12.  

“The trial judge makes the final decision on the death sentence vs. life in prison without parole,” Reed said. “A judge can overrule a jury’s vote – in either direction – but must give strong consideration to the jury’s recommendation and provide a written explanation for the decision.” 

Anyone sentenced to the death penalty in Florida receives a mandatory “automatic appeal to the Florida Supreme Court on issues from the trial,” Reed said. Even if the defendant waives the appeal, the process still occurs.  

“The purpose of the automatic appeal is to ensure that the conviction and sentence were not ‘arbitrarily or capriciously’ carried out,” Reed said.  

Circuit Judge Donna Goerner will make the final decision on Faison’s sentence at a hearing Dec. 5, Fox News reports.