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. 

 

FLOYD, Maurice (B/M)

DC#    V01514

DOB:   11/29/76

 

Seventh Judicial Circuit, Putnam County Case # 98-1315

Sentencing Judge: The Honorable William Parsons

Attorney, Trial: Douglas R. Withee – Assistant Public Defender

Attorney, Direct Appeal: Christopher Quarles – Assistant Public Defender

Attorney, Collateral Appeals:  Robert Strain & David Gemmer – CCRC-M

 

Date of Offense:           07/13/98

Date of Sentence:         05/26/99

 

Circumstances of Offense:

 

On the evening of 07/11/98, Trelane Floyd and several of her cousins went to a supper club to celebrate her birthday. Her husband, Maurice Floyd followed her and observed her drinking and dancing. Prior to this occasion, Maurice Floyd expressed his disapproval of Trelane Floyd’s alcohol consumption. When Trelane returned home around 5:00 a.m. on the morning of July 12th, Maurice informed her that he would not allow her to sleep and increased the volume on the televisions and radio in their apartment. He also threatened to kill her or someone she loved as reprisal for her drinking or if she ever attempted to run or hide from him. Later that day, Trelane felt a gun being placed beside her head as she was lying in bed. Floyd pulled the trigger three times, but the weapon did not fire. 

 

On July 13th, Trelane and Maurice Floyd had a heated argument on a street near their apartment. Trelane attempted to flee to the sheriff’s office, but Maurice rammed his car into Trelane’s car. After a high-speed chase, Trelane arrived at the sheriff’s office. Trelane exited the car, screamed for help, and Deputy Dean Kelly responded from his desk in the office. Trelane was explaining her situation to Deputy Kelly when Maurice began rapidly approaching Trelane on foot. Deputy Kelly prevented Maurice from approaching further, and advised him that he would be placed in investigative custody until the situation could be resolved. Maurice extended his hands into the air and backed up to Deputy Kelly, but Maurice fled the scene before the deputy could place the handcuffs on Maurice.

 

After giving a statement to sheriff’s office personnel, Trelane called her mother, Mary Goss, to inform her of the fight and confrontation with Maurice. Ms. Goss told Trelane that her three children were at her [Goss’] home and that she would not allow Maurice to get them. At some point during the evening of July 13th, Maurice went to the house of Ms. Goss, who then told Trelane’s children to run to a neighbor’s house. Several witnesses, including the children, saw Maurice and Ms. Goss arguing through the door that Maurice had kicked in and saw her run outside onto the porch. Maurice fired three shots at Ms. Goss with a .357 caliber pistol, striking her once in the face, killing her instantly. 

 

Additionally, Floyd confessed to the murder of Mary Goss to a friend, Tashoni Lamb. Floyd told her, “I just shot Miss Mary [Goss], the grandmother,” and he explained that he shot her because “she had threatened to call the police.” 

 

Additional Information:

 

On 05/26/99, Floyd was sentenced to three five year terms for one count of Burglary, (Case# 95-1456) and two counts of Accessory After the Fact (Case# 95-2062). 

 

Prior Community Supervision History in the State of Florida:

 

 

Offense Date

Offense

Sentence Date

County

Case No.

Community Supervision Length

12/18/1995

BURGUNOCCSTRUC/CV OR ATT.

09/17/1996

PUTNAM

9501456

5Y 0M 0D

12/18/1995

ACCESSORY AFTER FACT

09/17/1996

PUTNAM

9502062

5Y 0M 0D

12/18/1995

ACCESSORY AFTER FACT

09/17/1996

PUTNAM

9502062

5Y 0M 0D

 

 

Trial Summary:

 

08/05/98          Indicted as follows:

                                    Count I First-Degree Murder

                                    Count II           Armed Burglary

                                    Count III          Aggravated Assault

04/07/99          Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment

04/08/99          Jury recommended death by a vote of 11-1

05/26/99          Sentenced as follows:

                                    Count I First-Degree Murder – Death

                                    Count II           Armed Burglary – 30 years

                                    Count III          Aggravated Assault – 5 years

 

Appeal Summary:

 

Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal

FSC# 95,824

850 So.2d 383

 

06/18/99          Appeal filed

08/22/02          FSC affirmed First-Degree Murder and Assault convictions and sentences, but reversed conviction for Armed Burglary

06/12/03          Rehearing denied and Mandate issued

 

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

USSC# 03-6488

540 U.S. 1112

 

09/09/03          Petition filed

01/12/04          USSC denied Petition

 

Circuit Court – 3.851 Motion

CC# 98-1315

 

01/10/05          Motion filed

01/24/05          Motion amended

11/28/05          Evidentiary Hearing held

01/09/06          Evidentiary Hearing held

10/31/06          Evidentiary Hearing held

02/01/07          CC denied motion

 

Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Motion Appeal

FSC# 07-330

18 So.3d 432

 

02/22/07          Appeal filed

06/04/09          Appeal denied

06/18/09          Motion for rehearing

09/24/09          Rehearing denied

10/13/09          Mandate issued

 

Florida Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

FSC# 07-1894

18 So.3d 432

 

10/11/07          Petition filed

06/04/09          Petition denied

06/18/09          Motion for rehearing

09/24/09          Rehearing denied 

 

United States District Court, Middle District – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

USDC# 09-1017

(Pending)

 

10/13/09          Petition filed

 

Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition of Sentence:

 

The Direct Appeal was pending from 06/18/99 – 08/22/02.

 

Case Information:

 

Floyd filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 06/18/99, citing errors related to evidence admission and presentation, aggravating circumstances, and the proportionality of the death penalty.  On 08/22/02, the FSC affirmed the First-Degree Murder and Assault convictions and sentences, but reversed the Armed Burglary conviction. 

 

Floyd filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on 09/09/03 that was denied on 01/12/04.

 

Floyd filed a 3.851 Motion with the Circuit Court on 01/10/05 and amended the motion on 01/24/05.  On 11/28/05, 01/09/06, and 10/31/06 Evidentiary Hearings were held, and on 02/01/07, the CC denied the motion.

 

Floyd filed a 3.851 Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 02/22/07 that was denied on 06/04/09.

 

On 10/11/07, Floyd filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court that was denied on 06/04/09.

 

On 10/13/09, Floyd filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the United States District Court, Middle District that is pending.

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

Report Date:   01/29/04          JFL

Approved:       02/03/04          EW

Updated:         12/17/09          KKR