Citing evidence that Cedric Floyd “cruelly terrorized the victim before killing her,” Circuit Judge Bert Rice on Monday sentenced the defendant to die by lethal injection.

Floyd was convicted in October of capital murder of the Jan. 2, 2011, shooting death of his girlfriend, Tina Jones. The jury found that Floyd also committed burglary before he shot Jones three times, because he broke into her house through a window.

“You cruelly terrorized the victim before killing her,” Rice said.

Before announcing the sentence — which a jury recommended on a vote of 11-1 — Rice asked Floyd if he wanted to comment.

Floyd, who appeared to be expecting the sentence, even yawning at one point during the proceedings, spoke one word: “Appeal.”

Rice noted that there will be an automatic appeals process.

“The only way justice can be served is to apply the death sentence,” Rice said. “You are hereby sentenced to death by lethal injection.”

Rice also ruled that Floyd’s appointed attorneys — Kevin McKinley and Charles Johns — could withdraw from the case.

Floyd had attempted to fire them at several points during his trial, which lasted three and a half weeks and may have been the longest criminal trial in Escambia County history.

Several of Tina Jones’ friends and family members were in the courtroom for the verdict, and two people were there for Floyd.

After the verdict, one of Jones’ family members said simply, “Thank you, Jesus.”