William E. Wells, III v. State of Florida

Summary

The court affirmed Wells's first-degree murder conviction and death sentence. It held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying additional preparation time, properly rejected the two asserted statutory mitigating circumstances, and did not commit fundamental error in its sentencing findings. The court also rejected Wells's facial Eighth Amendment challenge, declined to extend the categorical bar on executing intellectually disabled persons to those with serious mental illness, and independently found his guilty plea knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.