SC2023-0593 Christopher Allen Pryor v. State of Florida
Pryor appeals his life sentence as a violent career criminal in possession of a firearm, seeking resolution of the district court’s ruling in conflict with other appellate decisions. Also at issue is whether escape from a juvenile detention facility counts as a qualifying offense under the violent career criminal statute.
SC2023-0807 Juan Javier Oquendo v. State of Florida
Oquendo appeals his manslaughter conviction on the basis of conflicting opinions from the district courts of appeal concerning the admissibility of evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in a self-defense claim and the related jury instructions.
SC2023-1662 Scottie D. Allen v. State of Florida & SC2024-0543 Scottie D. Allen v. Secretary, Dept. of Corrections
Allen was convicted of and sentenced to death for the 2017 first-degree murder of his cellmate at the Wakulla Correctional Institution. This Court upheld Allen’s conviction and death sentence on direct appeal. Allen then filed a postconviction motion seeking to vacate his conviction and sentence. The trial court denied that motion. Allen now appeals the trial court’s denial. Allen also petitions this Court for a writ of habeas corpus.
SC2023-1476 Mesac Damas v. State of Florida
Damas was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering his wife and five minor children in 2009. This Court affirmed Damas’s conviction and sentences in 2018. Damas moved to vacate his conviction and sentences in postconviction proceedings, raising four claims. The postconviction court denied Damas’s motion. This is his appeal.