JONES v. STATE (2018)

We have for review Randall Scott Jones's appeal of the postconviction court's order denying Jones's motion filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. This Court has jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(1), Fla. Const.

Jones's motion sought relief pursuant to the United States Supreme Court's decision in Hurst v. Florida, ––– U.S. ––––, 136 S.Ct. 616, 193 L.Ed.2d 504 (2016), and our decision on remand in Hurst v. State (Hurst ), 202 So.3d 40 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, ––– U.S. ––––, 137 S.Ct. 2161, 198 L.Ed.2d 246 (2017). Jones responded to this Court's order to show cause arguing why Hitchcock v. State, 226 So.3d 216 (Fla.), cert. denied, ––– U.S. ––––, 138 S.Ct. 513, 199 L.Ed.2d 396 (2017), should not be dispositive in this case.

After reviewing Jones's response to the order to show cause, as well as the State's arguments in reply, we conclude that Jones is not entitled to relief. Jones was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on both counts following the jury's recommendation for death for both murders by a vote of 10-2.¹ Jones's sentences of death became final in 1993. Jones v. Florida, 510 U.S. 836, 114 S.Ct. 112, 126 L.Ed.2d 78 (1993). Thus, Hurst does not apply retroactively to Jones's sentences of death. See Hitchcock, 226 So.3d at 217. Accordingly, we affirm the postconviction court's order denying relief.

The Court having carefully considered all arguments raised by Jones, we caution that any rehearing motion containing reargument will be stricken. It is so ordered.

I concur in result because I recognize that this Court's opinion in Hitchcock v. State, 226 So.3d 216 (Fla. 2017), cert. denied, ––– U.S. ––––, 138 S.Ct. 513, 199 L.Ed.2d 396 (2017), is now final. However, as I have continuously explained, I would apply Hurst ² retroactively to cases like Jones's. See Hitchcock, 226 So.3d at 220-21 (Pariente, J., dissenting). Applying Hurst to Jones's case, I would grant a new penalty phase based on the jury's nonunanimous recommendation for death by a vote of 10-2. Per curiam op. at 804 & note 1.

FOOTNOTES

1.   This Court's opinion on direct appeal after resentencing does not state the jury's votes for recommending death. Jones v. State, 612 So.2d 1370, 1372 (Fla. 1992), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 836, 114 S.Ct. 112, 126 L.Ed.2d 78 (1993); see Jones v. State, 569 So.2d 1234 (Fla. 1990) (remanding for resentencing). However, the postconviction court's order and Jones's Response to this Court's order to show cause in this case both state that the jury recommended death by a vote of 10-2 on both counts. Order Denying Def.'s Successive Mot. Vacate J. Conviction & Sentence Death Pursuant Fla. Rule Crim. Pro. 3.851, State v. Jones, No. 87-1695-CF (Fla. 7th Cir. Ct. May 15, 2017), at 2; Resp. at 3.

2.   Hurst v. State (Hurst ), 202 So.3d 40 (Fla. 2016), cert. denied, ––– U.S. ––––, 137 S.Ct. 2161, 198 L.Ed.2d 246 (2017); see Hurst v. Florida, ––– U.S. ––––, 136 S.Ct. 616, 193 L.Ed.2d 504 (2016).

PER CURIAM.

LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, and LAWSON, JJ., concur. PARIENTE, J., concurs in result with an opinion. CANADY, C.J., concurs in result.