May 2023 Summaries

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Tuesday, May 2

SC2022-1342 Kathleen Steele v.  Commissioner of Social Security

Begins at 9:00 a.m. ET

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit certifies two questions of Florida law concerning the intestate inheritance rights of children conceived and born after the father’s death. 

SC2022-0524 State of Florida v. Joshua Lyle Creller

Hillsborough County - begins about 9:40 a.m.

During a lawful traffic stop, a K-9 officer asked Creller multiple times to exit his vehicle for officer safety, while he and his dog conducted a sniff search around Creller’s car. Creller refused to comply and was ultimately arrested for resisting an officer with violence. Officers searched Creller incident to his arrest and found drugs on him. Creller filed a motion in the trial court to suppress the drugs, arguing that the K-9 officer’s exit command was an unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment. The trial court denied the motion, a jury convicted Creller, and he appealed.  The Second District reversed the trial court's decision and certified conflict with another appellate court decision. This Court accepted review to address the certified conflict between the decisions.

--10-minute break --

SC2022-0378 Markeith D. Loyd v. State of Florida

Orange County - begins about 10:30 a.m.

Loyd was convicted of the first-degree murder of Debra Clayton, who was shot to death in 2017 while on duty as a law enforcement officer. The jury unanimously recommended the death penalty, and the trial court sentenced him to death. This is his direct appeal.

Wednesday, May 3

SC2021-1778 Leon Davis, Jr. v. State of Florida & SC2022-0882 Leon Davis, Jr. v. Ricky D. Dixon, Etc.

Polk County - Begins at 9:00 a.m. ET

Davis was convicted of the first-degree murders of Yvonne Bustamante and Juanita Luciano, who were doused with gas and set on fire in 2007. The jury unanimously recommended the death penalty for both murders, and the trial court sentenced him to death. This Court upheld his death sentence on direct appeal. Davis filed a postconviction challenge in the trial court, raising several issues. His claims were denied, and this appeal followed. Davis has also filed a habeas corpus petition.

SC2021-1779 Leon Davis, Jr. v. State of Florida & SC2022-0883 Leon Davis, Jr. v. Ricky D. Dixon, Etc.

Polk County - begins about 9:40 a.m. ET

Davis was convicted of the first-degree murders of Pravinkumar Patel and Dashrath Patel, who were fatally shot in 2007. Davis waived his right to a jury recommendation, and the trial court sentenced him to death for both murders. This Court upheld his death sentence on direct appeal. Davis filed a postconviction challenge in the trial court, raising several issues. His claims were denied, and this appeal followed. Davis has also filed a habeas corpus petition.