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.
JEFFRIES, Sonny Ray (W/M)
DOB: 09/04/63
Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County Case # 93-9667
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Robert C. Wattles
Attorneys, Trial: Pro Se, Leticia J. Marques & Francis Blankner – Private
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Michael S. Becker – Assistant Public Defender
Attorneys, Collateral Appeals: Daphney Gaylord – CCRC-M
Date of Offense: 08/20/93
Date of Sentence: 01/22/99
Circumstances of Offense:
Wilma Martin worked as a property manager and her responsibilities included collecting rent money from tenants. Martin established a landlord-tenant relationship with Kevin Jeffries, Roxanne Jeffries, and Tammy Avant, who are all related to Sonny Jeffries. In the summer of 1993, Sonny Jeffries moved to Florida from New Jersey and became acquainted with Tammy Jeffries’ boyfriend’s brother, Harry Thomas.
Martin’s body was found on 08/20/93. She had been stabbed several times and kicked or stomped to death. A bloody footprint and fingerprint were left at the crime scene. Several pieces of jewelry were taken and later pawned.
Roxanne Jeffries testified to overhearing Sonny Jeffries and Harry Thomas talk about going out, robbing and killing someone. After Jeffries and Thomas returned from an alleged trip to Disney World, Roxanne noticed that Jeffries had rings in his possession that he did not have in the past.
Dennis Thomas, the brother of Harry Thomas, testified to overhearing Thomas and Jeffries talk about robbing Martin. He also overheard the pair saying that Martin would be a good target because she collected rent money.
Laboratory analysis determined that the shoe print left at the crime scene could have been left by the same type of shoes as worn by Jeffries, but was not conclusive as to whether Jeffries’ shoes were the ones that left the print. Further analysis of the fingerprint left at the crime scene determined that the fingerprint matched those of Jeffries.
Codefendant Information:
Harry Thomas was charged under the same indictment as Jeffries. Thomas pled nolo contendere to Count I of the indictment, and was sentenced to a prison term of 20 years. The State nolle prosequied Counts II and III of the indictment. Thomas was conditionally released on 12/10/03 and returned to New Jersey.
Additional Information:
Prior to trial, Jeffries was found incompetent to proceed on 07/19/94 and 06/12/96.
On 11/26/02, the Circuit Court determined that Jeffries was incompetent to proceed. On 03/18/04, the State filed a motion for treatment to restore competency, and a Durocher hearing was held on 10/05/04. On 10/08/04, the court issued an order of commitment. On 04/08/05 and 05/26/05, Durocher hearings were held, and on 12/15/05, the court issued an order declaring Jeffries competent.
Trial Summary:
10/18/93 Indicted as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder
Count II: Armed Robbery
Count III: Armed Burglary
04/23/98 Jury returned guilty verdicts on Counts I and II and a not guilty verdict on
Count III
09/09/98 Jury recommended death by a vote of 11-1
01/22/99 Sentenced as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder – Death
Count II: Armed Robbery – Life Imprisonment
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 94,994
797 So. 2d 573
03/01/99 Appeal filed
08/23/01 FSC affirmed convictions and sentences
10/09/01 Rehearing denied and Mandate issued
Circuit Court – 3.850 Motion
CC# 93-9667
12/03/02 Motion filed
11/26/02 Jeffries determined incompetent to proceed
10/21/03 CC denied all claims except competency
02/13/06 Motion amended
06/08/06 Motion amended
07/15/08 Motion denied
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition of Sentence:
Delays in the case have come from competency issues that have arisen during the 3.850 Motion, which was pending from 12/03/02 – 03/30/07.
Case Information:
Jeffries filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 03/01/99, citing the following errors: denying a motion to suppress shoes as evidence; overruling an objection to the State’s use of a peremptory challenge; denying a motion for judgment of acquittal; improperly evaluating mitigating evidence; and disproportionality of the death sentence. On 08/23/01, the FSC affirmed the convictions and sentences.
Jeffries filed a 3.850 Motion with the Circuit Court on 12/03/02. On 11/26/02, the Circuit Court determined that Jeffries was incompetent to proceed. On 10/21/03, the Circuit Court denied all claims except competency. On 03/18/04, the State filed a motion for treatment to restore competency, and a hearing was held on 10/05/04. On 10/08/04, the court issued an order or commitment. On 04/08/05 and 05/26/05, the court held hearings, and on 12/15/05, the court issued an order declaring Jeffries competent. On 02/13/06 and 06/08/06, the motion was amended. On 03/30/07, the Circuit Court dismissed the motion.
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 DAYS VIOLATION LOCATION
08/27/99 28 ASSAULTS OR ATTEMPT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/27/99 0 POSS OF WEAPONS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/27/99 0 DEST. OF ST. PROP. FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/29/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/30/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/31/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/01/99 8 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/02/99 10 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/03/99 10 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/04/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/05/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/06/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/07/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/11/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/12/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/13/99 0 REF. SUB. ABUSE TEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/13/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/13/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/14/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/15/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/17/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/18/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/19/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/20/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/21/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/22/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/23/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/24/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/25/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/25/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/26/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/27/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/28/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/01/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/02/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/03/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/05/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/06/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/15/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/16/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/19/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/25/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/17/99 0 UNARMED ASSAULT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/22/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/23/99 0 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/23/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
01/11/00 0 REF. SUB. ABUSE TEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/03/00 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/11/00 0 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/22/00 0 MAIL VIOLATIONS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
04/05/00 0 REF. SUB. ABUSE TEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
07/25/00 0 SPOKEN THREATS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/08/00 0 REF. SUB. ABUSE TEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/11/00 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/00 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/00 0 UNARMED ASSAULT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/00 0 DEST. OF ST. PROP. FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/28/01 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
08/29/01 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
08/31/01 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
09/01/01 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
09/03/01 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C. I.
02/28/02 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
04/28/02 0 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS UNION C. I.
04/28/02 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
07/12/02 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
07/17/02 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
02/04/04 30 POSS OF CONTRABAND UNION C. I.
09/17/04 60 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS UNION C. I.
10/19/04 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT UNION C. I.
01/29/05 0 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS UNION C. I.
03/07/06 60 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C.I.
Report Date: 07/06/04 JFL
Approved: 07/08/04 EW
Updated: 04/24/09 KLH