Kevin G. Jeffries, Jr., Appellant v. State of Florida, Appellee

Summary

The court affirmed Jeffries's convictions for first-degree murder, armed burglary, and armed robbery because competent, substantial evidence supported both murder theories. It held that the nonunanimous death recommendation required a new penalty phase because the record did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the sentencing error was harmless, and therefore vacated the death sentence. Justice Pariente, joined by Justice Quince, would have reduced the sentence to life based on relative culpability, while Justice Canady, joined by Justice Polston, would have affirmed the death sentence.