Pedro Hernandez-Alberto v. State of Florida, Appellee Pedro Hernandez-Alberto v. Michael D. Crews

Summary

The court affirmed dismissal with prejudice of Hernandez-Alberto’s unverified postconviction motion and held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding him competent to proceed with counsel. It also denied habeas relief, concluding that the later clarification concerning mentally ill defendants’ self-representation did not require reconsideration of the defendant’s earlier, valid waiver of counsel. The court emphasized that Hernandez-Alberto sought to pursue his claims rather than waive them, but repeatedly refused to verify a motion despite warnings and extensions.