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The following summaries are drawn from briefs and lower court judgments. They are meant to provide a general idea of facts and issues presented in cases, and should not be considered official court documents. Facts and issues presented in these summaries should be checked for accuracy against records and briefs, available from the Court, which provide more specific information.
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Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Monday, December 3, 2012
Arrive early. Times & order of appearance are tentative and subject to change with no notice. Cases may be postponed due to exigent circumstances.
Case |
Time |
Facts & Issues |
Place of Origin |
Jerry Michael Wickham v. State of Florida
SC11-1193 | SC12-303
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case number(s)
here
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9:00 |
Mr. Wickham was convicted of the first-degree murder of Morris Fleming, who
was fatally shot in1986. The jury voted 11-1 to recommend a death sentence and
the trial court condemned him to death. This Court upheld the sentence on direct
appeal. Mr. Wickham filed a post-conviction challenge in trial court and it was
denied. But this Court later remanded the case to the trial court for a new
evidentiary hearing. After holding the hearing, the trial court again denied Mr.
Wickham's post-conviction challenge and this appeal followed.
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Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Arrive early. Times & order of appearance are tentative and subject to change with no notice. Cases may be postponed due to exigent circumstances.
Case |
Time |
Facts & Issues |
Place of Origin |
Richard McCoy v. State of Florida
SC10-2206
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
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9:00 |
Mr. McCoy was convicted of the first-degree murder of Shervie Ann Elliot, who
was fatally shot in 2000 in the liquor store where she worked. The jury voted 7-5
to recommend a death sentence and the trial court condemned him to death. This
Court upheld his sentence on direct appeal and Mr. McCoy filed a post-conviction
challenge in trial court. It was denied and this appeal followed.
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State of Florida v. Sirron Johnson
SC09-1570
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
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Approx. 9:40 |
Mr. Johnson was sentenced to 48 years in prison for the armed kidnapping,
robbery and sexual battery of three women. The First District Court of Appeal
rejected his appeal. Mr. Johnson next challenged his sentences in trial court, which
ruled that two of his sentences exceeded the state maximum. He was resentenced
to 40 years on each count and then filed a new challenge against his new
sentences. The trial court denied it but the 1st DCA overturned the trial court. This
Court granted review to resolve a conflict in the district courts. |
Duval County |
Merly Nunez v. GEICO General Insurance Co.
SC12-650
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
Approx. 10:30 |
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has asked this Court whether Florida law
allows an insurer to require that a policy holder show up to be questioned under
oath about a claim in order to receive benefits due under a personal injury
protection auto policy. The question arose in the course of a class-action lawsuit
that Ms. Nunez filed against Geico in state court. Geico transferred the case to
federal trial court, where it was dismissed. Ms. Nunez appealed to the 11th Circuit. |
South Florida |
Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Arrive early. Times & order of appearance are tentative and subject to change with no notice. Cases may be postponed due to exigent circumstances.
Case |
Time |
Facts & Issues |
Place of Origin |
Tommy Lee Alcorn v. State of Florida
SC11-1322
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
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9:00 |
Mr. Alcorn rejected a plea agreement for 12 years in prison for drug charges. He
went to trial and was convicted. The court sentenced him to 30 years in prison as
a habitual offender. He challenged his conviction, arguing his attorney had
incorrectly told him he did not qualify as a habitual offender. The trial court
denied his claim and the Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld the trial court.
The 4th DCA also said its decision conflicted with rulings from other District
Courts of Appeal. |
Indian River County |
Theodore Rodgers, Jr. v. State of Florida
SC11-2259
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
Approx. 9:40 |
Mr. Rodgers was convicted of the first-degree murder of Teresa Henderson, who
was fatally shot in 2001. The jury voted 8-4 to recommend a death sentence and
the trial court condemned him to death. This Court upheld his sentence on direct
appeal and Mr. Rodgers filed a post-conviction challenge in trial court. It was
denied and this appeal followed.
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Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. V. State of Florida
SC11-475
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
Approx. 10:30 |
Mr. Gonzalez was convicted of the first-degree murders of Byrd and Melanie
Billings, who were fatally shot in their home in 2009. The jury voted 10-2 to recommend a death sentence for each murder and the trial court condemned him to
death. This is his direct appeal. He raises various issues. |
Escambia County |
Washington National Insurance Corp. V. Sydelle
Ruderman
SC12-323
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
Approx. 11:30 |
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has asked this Court what Florida law
requires in cases where the meaning of a provision in an insurance policy is
ambiguous. Washington National argues there is no ambiguity in its home health
care policy and cites various documents as proof. Ms. Ruderman and others argue
language in the policy providing an 8 percent annual increase in benefits is
ambiguous and should be interpreted in their favor. |
Statewide impact |
Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Arrive early. Times & order of appearance are tentative and subject to change with no notice. Cases may be postponed due to exigent circumstances.
Case |
Time |
Facts & Issues |
Place of Origin |
State of Florida v. Michael Peter Fitzpatrick
SC11-1509
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
9:00 |
A jury convicted Mr. Fitzpatrick of the first-degree murder and sexual battery of
Laura Romines, who was fatally stabbed in 1996. The jury voted 10-2 to
recommend a death sentence and the trial court condemned him to death. This
Court upheld his sentence on direct appeal and Mr. Fitzpatrick filed a
post-conviction challenge in trial court. The trial court granted him a new trial and
this appeal followed. |
Pasco County |
Joel Diaz v. State of Florida
SC11-949 | SC12-289
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
Approx.
9:40 |
Mr. Diaz was convicted of the first-degree murder of Charles Shaw, who was
fatally shot in 1997. The jury voted 9-3 to recommend a death sentence and the
trial court condemned Mr. Diaz to death. This Court upheld the death sentence on
direct appeal and Mr. Diaz filed a post-conviction challenge in trial court. It was
denied and this appeal followed.
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The Florida Bar v. Richard Lee Buckle
SC10-1533
View briefs in Acrobat format by clicking the case
number(s) here
|
Approx. 10:30 |
In this disciplinary case, The Florida Bar accuses Mr. Buckle of ethical violations
related to his handling of a child custody matter. The trial judge who considered
the allegations as a referee concluded Mr. Buckle was guilty of violating rules that
require attorneys to act diligently on cases and to keep clients informed. The
referee also concluded Mr. Buckle had charged an excessive fee. The referee
recommended that this Court disbar Mr. Buckle. Mr. Buckle argues he is innocent
of the allegations; The Bar supports the referee's conclusions and recommended
discipline.
Justice Quince is recused.
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Manatee County |
Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Friday, December 7, 2012
Arrive early. Times & order of appearance are tentative and subject to change with no notice. Cases may be postponed due to exigent circumstances.
Case |
Time |
Facts & Issues |
Place of Origin |
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