EPISODE #5: Florida Case Law Update (8/29/22 - 9/2/22)
OVERVIEW - 5 Cases
Case #1 -Gordon v. State, No. SC20-284 (Fla. Sup. Ct.)(Sept. 1, 2022)
Mr. Gordon was sentenced to death for First Degree Murder. He argues on appeal that the State impermissibly struck a juror on account of race, that the evidence of premeditation was insufficient, and that his sentence violated the Eighth Amendment.
Case #2 - State v. Mullens, No. SC19-1587 (Fla. Sup. Ct.)(August 31, 2022)
Mr. Mullens was sentenced to death for First Degree Murder. He argued that his trial counsel was ineffective during the penalty phase based on the testimony of two new experts that testified at the post conviction hearing. The Florida Supreme Court reviewed whether the trial court erred by granting a new penalty phase.
Case #3 - Taylor v. State, No. 2D22-1186 (Fla. 2nd DCA)(August 31, 2022)
Mr. Taylor, a juvenile at the time, was sentenced to life with review after 25 years for first degree murder and 30 years (with no judicial review) for attempted robbery. The 2nd DCA determined whether Mr. Taylor was entitled to judicial review on the attempted robbery.
Case #4 - Darling v. State, No. 3D22-0697 (Fla. 3rd DCA)(August 31, 2022)
Darling is a 3.800 Motion to Correct Illegal Sentence case addressing reclassification and minimum mandatory sentences under 775.087.
Case #5 - Ramirez v. State, No. 3D22-1014 (Fla. 3rd DCA)(August 31, 2022)
Ramirez is a 3.800 Motion case where Mr. Ramirez attempted to challenge the validity of his conviction through a 3.800 motion.