Randall Scott Jones v. State of Florida

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida affirmed the denial of Randall Scott Jones’s successive postconviction motion under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. The court held that Hurst v. Florida and Hurst v. State did not apply retroactively to Jones’s death sentences, which became final in 1993, although Justice Pariente concurred in result and would have granted a new penalty phase based on the jury’s nonunanimous 10-2 death recommendation.

Holdings

1. Hurst does not apply retroactively to Jones's death sentences because they became final in 1993.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Hurst v. Florida and Hurst v. State apply retroactively to Jones's death sentences, which became final in 1993.
2. Whether Jones was entitled to postconviction relief or a new penalty phase based on the jury's nonunanimous 10-2 death recommendations.

Disposition

affirmed