William A. Gregory, Appellant v. State of Florida, Appellee; William A. Gregory, Petitioner, v. Julie L. Jones…

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of Gregory’s guilt-phase postconviction claims, concluding that counsel’s challenged decisions were reasonable strategic choices and that Gregory failed to establish prejudice. It also affirmed denial of relief based on the alleged recantation of a trial witness and denied habeas relief on the guilt-phase appellate-counsel claims. The court vacated both death sentences and remanded for a new penalty phase because the jury’s seven-to-five death recommendations did not establish harmlessness beyond a reasonable doubt under the governing capital-sentencing requirements. Justice Lawson concurred specially without stating additional reasoning, while Justice Polston, joined by Justice Canady, would have left the death sentences in place.