Nelson Serrano, Appellant v. State of Florida, Appellee; Nelson Serrano, Petitioner, v. Julie L. Jones

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of Serrano’s guilt-phase postconviction claims and denied his habeas claims because he failed to establish Brady or Giglio violations, ineffective assistance, or prejudice. The court nevertheless held that his death sentences violated Hurst and that the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt because the nine-to-three jury recommendations did not establish unanimous findings concerning the aggravating circumstances and mitigation. Justice Polston, joined by Justices Canady and Lawson, concurred in part but would not have vacated the death sentences under Hurst.