Oral Argument Schedule & Briefs

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

No cases scheduled

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

In re: Amendments to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.255

SC08-1236

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9:00

The Steering Committee on Families and Children in Court is asking the Court to approve proposed changes to the rules governing hearings in foster care cases. Under the change, children in foster care who are at least 16 years old would have to attend all hearings unless there was a good reason for them to be absent.

Statewide impact

Troy Victorino v. State of Florida

SC06-2090

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Approx. 9:30

Mr. Victorino was convicted of the first-degree murders of Erin Belanger, Francisco Ayo Roman, Jonathan Gleason and Roberto Gonzalez as well as Michelle Nathan and Anthony Vega. All six victims were fatally beaten with a baseball bat in their home in 2006. The jury voted to recommend death sentences in the first four cases by votes ranging from 7-5 to 10-2. The court followed the jury recommendations and condemned Mr. Victorino. This is his direct appeal. He raises several issues.

Volusia County

Clemente Javier Aquirre-Jarquin

SC06-1550

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Approx. 10:30

Mr. Aquirre-Jarquin was convicted of the first-degree murders of Cheryl Williams and Carol Bareis, who were fatally stabbed in their home in 2004. The jury voted 7-5 to recommend a death sentence for the murder of Ms. Williams and 9-3 to recommend a death sentence for the murder of Ms. Bareis. The court followed the jury recommendations for both murders and Mr. Aquirre-Jarquin was condemned. This is his direct appeal. He raises several issues.

Seminole County

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

Marshall Lee Gore v. State of Florida

SC05-1848

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9:00

Mr. Gore was convicted of the first-degree murder of Robyn Novick, who was fatally stabbed and strangled in 1988. He was condemned but this Court reversed his death sentence and murder conviction both and ordered a new trial. Mr. Gore was again convicted. The jury voted unanimously to recommend a death sentence and Mr. Gore was again condemned. This Court upheld the death sentence on direct appeal and Mr. Gore filed a postconviction challenge in trial court. It was denied and this appeal followed. Mr. Gore raises various issues.

Miami-Dade County

William Lee Thompson v. State of Florida

SC07-2000

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Approx. 9:40

Mr. Thompson pleaded guilty to the kidnapping, sexual battery and first-degree murder of Sally Ivester, who was fatally beaten in 1976. He was condemned to death. After a number of appeals, this Court vacated the death sentence. At resentencing, the jury voted 7-5 to recommend death and the trial court again imposed the death penalty. This Court upheld the sentence on direct appeal. Mr. Thompson filed two more postconviction challenges in trial court, which rejected both of them. This appeal followed the latest trial court denial.

Miami-Dade County

Jeffrey G. Hutchinson v. State of Florida

SC08-99

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Approx. 10:30

Mr. Hutchinson was convicted of the first-degree murders of Renee Flaherty and her three children, 9-year-old Geoffrey, 7-year-old Amanda, 4-year-old Logan Flaherty, all of whom were fatally shot in 1998. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Renee Flaherty and condemned to death for the murders of the three children. This Court upheld the sentences on direct appeal and Mr. Hutchinson filed a post-conviction challenge in trial court. It was rejected and this appeal followed.

Okaloosa County

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

Juan Carlos Chavez v. State of Florida

SC07-952 | SC08-970

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9:00

Mr. Chavez was convicted of the first-degree murder of 9-year-old Jimmy Ryce, who was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and fatally shot in 1995. The jury unanimously recommended a death sentence, which the trial court imposed. This Court upheld the murder conviction and death sentence on direct appeal. The trial court denied Mr. Chavez's postconviction challenge, and this appeal followed with Mr. Chavez raising various issues.

Miami-Dade County

Dwight T. Eaglin v. State of Florida

SC06-760

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Samuel L. Smithers v. State of Florida

SC07-2258 | SC08-868

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Approx. 10:40

Mr. Smithers was convicted of the first-degree murders of Cristy Cowan and Denise Roach, who were strangled, stabbed and beaten in 1996. The jury voted unanimously to recommend death sentences for each murder and he was condemned. This Court upheld the death sentences on direct appeal and Mr. Smithers filed a post-conviction challenge in trial court. It was denied and this appeal followed. Mr. Smithers also has filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

Hillsborough County

Case

 Time

Facts & Issues

Place of Origin

No arguments scheduled