The Commission on Capital Cases updates this information regularly.  This information; however, is subject to change and may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not be relied upon for statistical or legal purposes. 

 

HUGGINS, John (W/M)

DC#    059121

DOB:  02/16/62

 

­­­Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County Case # 98-7190

Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Belvin Perry, Jr.

Attorney, Trial: Bob Wesley & Tyrone King – Public Defender & Asst. Public Defender

Attorney, Direct Appeal: Christopher Quarles – Assistant Public Defender

Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Eric Pinkard & David Gemmer– CCRC-M

 

Date of Offense:         06/10/97

Date of Sentence:       02/26/99

Date of Sentence:       09/19/02

 

Circumstances of Offense:

 

On the morning of 06/10/97, Carla Larson took her daughter to day care and went to work.  Prior to lunch, Larson told a coworker that she was going to a grocery store to pick up food for an afternoon meeting.  A receipt indicated that she purchased food, but Larson never returned to work.  Numerous witnesses saw a Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle (SUV) that matched a description of Larson’s SUV in a wooded area off the Osceola Parkway. 

 

Two days later, while being led by witnesses who saw the SUV in the woods, coworkers found the body of Larson.  The cause of death was strangulation and Larson’s jewelry, clothing, and purse were missing. 

 

On the day of Larson’s disappearance, John Huggins, his wife Angel and their five children were visiting the Orlando area.  John Huggins’ mother-in-law, Fay Blades, testified at trial that, when she came home from work on 06/10/97, she noticed an unfamiliar, white SUV in her carport.  Blades’ neighbors also noticed a white, Ford SUV in Blades’ carport, but noted that the vehicle was spray-painted black later in the week. 

 

On 06/26/97, police were called to investigate a burning truck on a vacant lot in Cocoa Beach.  An investigation revealed the truck was Larson’s white Ford Explorer SUV, which had been partially painted black. 

 

On 06/27/97, John Huggins fled Florida with his sister-in-law, with whom he had begun a relationship.  Shortly thereafter, Angel Huggins saw a television show, America’s Most Wanted, which featured Larson’s murder.  Angel Huggins suspected her husband of committing the murder and called police.  In late June and July 1997, police conducted three searches of Blades’ house and a shed on her property, but no incriminating evidence was found.  Blades conducted a search of her own and found jewelry, later found to belong to Larson, hidden in her shed. 

 

Additional Information:

 

Huggins was declared incompetent on 11/27/06.

 

Current Prison History:

 

Current Prison Sentence History:

Offense Date

Offense

Sentence Date

County

Case No.

Prison Sentence Length

03/06/1997

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

12/15/1998

ORANGE

9709394

SENTENCED TO LIFE

03/06/1997

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

12/15/1998

ORANGE

9709394

SENTENCED TO LIFE

03/06/1997

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

12/15/1998

ORANGE

9709394

SENTENCED TO LIFE

07/12/1995

GRAND THEFT,300 L/5,000

04/27/1999

ORANGE

9509486

2Y 0M 0D

04/01/1997

ROBB. GUN/DEADLY WPN

04/27/1999

ORANGE

9712080

SENTENCED TO LIFE

04/01/1997

ROBB. GUN/DEADLY WPN

04/27/1999

ORANGE

9712080

SENTENCED TO LIFE

04/01/1997

ROBB. GUN/DEADLY WPN

04/27/1999

ORANGE

9712080

SENTENCED TO LIFE

04/01/1997

ROBB. GUN/DEADLY WPN

04/27/1999

ORANGE

9712080

SENTENCED TO LIFE

04/01/1997

AGG ASSLT-W/WPN NO INTENT TO K

04/27/1999

ORANGE

9712080

5Y 0M 0D

11/24/1995

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

09/05/2000

BREVARD

9731870

30Y 0M 0D

01/17/1996

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

09/05/2000

BREVARD

9801014

30Y 0M 0D

02/21/1997

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

09/05/2000

BREVARD

9726795

30Y 0M 0D

06/12/1997

ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY

09/05/2000

BREVARD

9726796

30Y 0M 0D

04/09/1997

RESISTING OFFICER W/VIOLEN.

09/05/2000

BREVARD

9708756

12Y 9M 18D

04/09/1997

BATT.LEO/FIRFGT/EMS/ETC.

09/05/2000

BREVARD

9708756

12Y 9M 18D

06/09/1997

1ST DG MUR/PREMED. OR ATT.

09/19/2002

ORANGE

9807190

DEATH SENTENCE

06/09/1997

CARJACK W/O FA/DEAD WEAP

09/19/2002

ORANGE

9807190

30Y 0M 0D

06/09/1997

KIDNAP;COMM.OR FAC.FELONY

09/19/2002

ORANGE

9807190

SENTENCED TO LIFE

Prior Incarceration History in the State of Florida:

 

Prior Prison History: (Note: Data reflected covers periods of incarceration with the Florida Dept.of Corrections since January of 1983)

Offense Date

Offense

Sentence Date

County

Case No.

Prison Sentence Length

04/23/1979

ROBB. GUN/DEADLY WPN

08/05/1981

SEMINOLE

7Y 6M 0D

 

Trial Summary:

 

05/28/98          Indicted as follows:

                                    Count I:           First-Degree Murder

                                    Count II:         Carjacking

                                    Count III:        Robbery

Count IV:        Kidnapping

12/28/98          Trial venue changed to Duval County

02/03/99          Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment

02/10/99          Jury recommended death by a vote of 8-4

02/26/99          Sentenced as follows:

                                    Count I:           First-Degree Murder – Death

                                    Count II:         Carjacking – 30 Years

                                    Count III:        Robbery – Life

Count IV:        Kidnapping – Life

04/11/02          Retrial venue changed to Hillsborough County

07/25/02          Jury returned guilty verdicts on all Counts I, II, and IV, and the lesser included charge of Petit Theft for Count III

07/26/02          Jury recommended death by a vote of 9-3

09/19/02          Sentenced as follows:

                                    Count I:           First-Degree Murder – Death

                                    Count II:         Carjacking – 30 Years

                                    Count III:        Petit Theft – 60 Days

Count IV:        Kidnapping – Life

Appeal Summary:

 

Circuit Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

CC# 98-7190

 

03/25/99          Petition filed

05/21/99          Evidentiary Hearing held

07/21/99          Circuit Court granted Petition and ordered a retrial

 

Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal

FSC# 95,251

889 So. 2d 743

 

04/05/99          Appeal filed

08/09/99          Motion to dismiss filed

07/13/00          FSC granted motion and Direct Appeal dismissed

 

Florida Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Appeal (State)

FSC# 96,216

788 So. 2d 238

 

08/09/99          Appeal filed

06/07/01          FSC affirmed granting of Petition

 

Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal (after retrial)

FSC# 02-2364

889 So. 2d 743

 

10/31/02          Appeal filed

12/02/04          FSC affirmed convictions and sentences

12/22/04          Mandate issued

 

U.S. Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari

USSC# 04-9512

545 U.S. 1107

 

03/22/05          Petition filed

06/06/05          USSC denied Petition

 

Circuit Court – 3.850 Motion

CC# 98-7190

 

06/05/06          Motion filed

11/27/06          Huggins declared incompetent. 

10/17/07          Order for competency re-evaluation.

12/07/10          Appeal filed.

 

Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Appeal

FSC# 08-1022

 

06/06/08          Appeal filed

03/10/09          Voluntarily dismissed

 

Florida Supreme Court – Petition to Review Non-Final Order and to Stay Proceedings in Lower Court (3.851)

FSC# 09-2097

 

11/16/09          Petition filed

01/17/10          Petition dismissed

 

Florida Supreme Court – 3.850 Appeal

FSC# 11-219

(Pending)

 

02/02/11          Appeal filed

 

Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition of Sentence:

 

The delay in the case stems from the Brady violation by the State and the subsequent retrial. 

 

Case Information:

 

Huggins filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Circuit Court on 03/25/99, alleging a Brady violation by the State.  On 05/21/99, an Evidentiary Hearing was held, and, on 07/21/99, the Circuit Court granted the petition.  A retrial was ordered in the case. 

 

Huggins filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 04/05/99.  On 08/09/99, a Motion to Dismiss was filed and the appeal was dismissed on 07/13/00. 

 

On 08/09/99, the State filed an appeal of the granting of the Habeas Petition by the Circuit Court.  On 06/07/01, the FSC affirmed the granting of the petition. 

 

Huggins filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 10/31/02, alleging the following trial court errors: admitting certain evidence and testimony, granting a juror challenge, admitting prejudicial evidence, introducing medical examiner’s testimony, admitting victim evidence and victim-impact evidence, denying a motion for acquittal, denying a request for a jury instruction regarding circumstantial evidence, denying motions to disqualify the prosecutor, finding aggravating circumstances, sentencing based on a disproportionate penalty, and Ring claims.  On 12/02/04, the FSC affirmed the convictions and sentences. 

 

Huggins filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on 03/22/05 that was denied on 06/06/05.

 

Huggins filed a 3.850 Motion with the Circuit Court on 06/05/06 that was denied on 11/18/10.  On 12/07/10, Huggins filed an appeal.

 

Huggins was declared incompetent on 11/27/06.  An order for competency re-evaluation was ordered on 10/17/07.

 

Huggins filed a 3.851 Petition with the Florida Supreme Court on 06/06/08.  The Florida Supreme Court has ordered a stay of all proceedings pending disposition of this petition.  This petition was voluntarily dismissed on 03/10/09. The stay was vacated on 03/25/09.

 

On 11/16/09, Huggins filed a Petition with the Florida Supreme Court to Review Non-Final Order and to Stay Proceedings in Lower Court (3.851). This petition was dismissed on 01/27/10.

 

On 02/02/11, Huggins filed a 3.850 Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court.  This appeal is currently pending.

Institutional Adjustment:

 

THE FOLLOWING ENTRIES REFLECT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST THE INMATE FOR VIOLATION OF THE RULE CITED AND INDICATE THE GAIN TIME DAYS LOST.

 

Date

Violation

Days

Location

01/13/00

POSS OF CONTRABAND

0

FLORIDA  STATE PRISON

03/10/03

MAIL VIOLATIONS

0

FLORIDA STATE PRISON

03/10/03

BRIBERY OR ATTEMPTED

60

FLORIDA STATE PRISON

02/13/04

DISOBEYING ORDER

0

UNION C.I.

02/27/06

DISOBEYING ORDER

60

UNION C.I.

03/07/06

SPOKEN THREATS

35

UNION C.I.

03/14/06

OBSCENE PROFANE ACT

0

UNION C.I.

03/24/06

MAIL VIOLATIONS

5

UNION C.I.

 

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Report Date:   02/11/05          JFL

Updated:        02/22/11          CAR