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 on for statistical or legal purposes.

TREASE, Robert (W/M)

DC #   124346

DOB: 01/21/53

Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Sarasota County Case #95-2207/ 96-1900

Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Robert Bennett

Trial Attorney: Fred Mercurio – Special Appointed Public Defender

Attorney, Direct Appeal: Andrea Norgard – Assistant Public Defender

Attorneys, Collateral Appeals: Thomas Dunn & Mark Olive – Pro Bono

Date of Offense: 08/17/85

Date of Sentence: 01/22/97

Circumstances of Offense:

The defendant, Robert Trease, and his accomplice Hope Siegel conspired to rob the victim Paul Edeson. The robbery resulted in Trease killing the victim with a knife.

Trease and Siegel planned for her to arrange a date with the victim so that she could learn where the victim kept a hidden safe. They planned to return later to recover any money the victim may have had. Siegel arrived at the victim’s home and after spending time with the victim, determined that he did not have a safe. She left the victim’s residence and met with Trease, to inform him that the victim did not own a safe. Trease followed Ms. Siegal back to the victim’s house where he surprised and attacked the victim in an effort to obtain the safe’s location. The victim continued to insist that he did not have a safe in his house. Trease told Siegel to get a gun, which he put to the victim’s head as he continued the questioning. The victim remained uncooperative so Trease fired a non-lethal bullet into his head and then asked Siegel to retrieve a knife. He then cut the victim’s throat resulting in his death. Subsequent to his arrest, Trease denied any knowledge or involvement in the crime. Siegel, however, gave a detailed statement implicating them both.

Codefendant Information:

Hope Siegel

Hope Siegel was sentenced on 12-30-96 for Second Degree Murder and received a sentence of 20 years prison. She was also sentenced on 02-19-97 to one year prison for Burglary of a Dwelling. (Both charges resulted from the same incident)

Trial Summary:

09/28/95          Indicted by the Grand Jury, Case # 95-2207.

                                    Count I:           First-Degree Murder 

10/13/95          Special Public Defender appointed, plea of not guilty entered.

02/14/96          Information filed for case # 96-1900, *

                                    Count I:           Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault While Armed.

                                    Count II:         Robbery with a Firearm.

12/11/96          The jury found the defendant guilty of all counts as charged both in the indictment and the information.

12/19/96          Upon advisory sentencing the trial jury, by a 11 to 1 majority, voted for the death penalty.

01/22/97          The defendant sentenced as follows:

Case # 95-2207

Count I:           First-Degree Murder – Death

Case # 96-1900

                                         Count I:           Burglary of a Dwelling w/ an Assault While Armed – Life

                                         Count II:         Robbery with a Firearm – Life

*Note, the charges in case # 96-1900 are related to the same incident.

Appeal Summary:

Florida Supreme Court, Direct Appeal

FSC # SC89, 961

768 So. 2d 1050 (Fla. 00)

02/28/97          Appeal filed.

08/17/00          FSC affirmed convictions and the sentence of death.

10/11/00          Rehearing denied.

11/13/00          Mandate issued.

State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion

Circuit Court Case #’s 95-2207/ 96-1900

05/23/01          Motion filed.

05/31/01          Motion denied.

09/27/02          Motion reinstated.

03/27/06          Motion amended.

05/11/07          Motion denied.

05/24/07          Motion for rehearing filed.

06/05/07          Motion denied.

Florida Supreme Court – 3.850 Motion Appeal

FSC# 07-1353

41 So.3d 119

07/19/07          Appeal filed.

06/19/08          Relinquished to the State Circuit Court.

10/21/08          Relinquishment ended.

06/24/10          Denial of motion affirmed.

07/16/10          Mandate issued.

Florida Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

FSC# 08-792

41 So.3d 119

04/29/08          Petition filed.

06/24/10          Petition denied.

United States Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari

USSC# 10-7730

11/22/10          Petition filed.

02/22/11          Petition denied.

Warrant Information:

11/19/01          Governor Jeb Bush signed death warrant.

02/06/02          Governor Jeb Bush granted a Stay of Execution.

Case Information:

Trease filed his Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court on 02/28/97. Trease’s initial appeal contained a number of claims including: the trial court abused its discretion by failing to appoint co-counsel to assist in the penalty phase and in denying his request for new counsel, the court erred in granting the State’s pre-trial motion, thereby preventing the defense from cross-examining Siegel regarding her drug addiction, the court gave little weight to non-statutory mitigating factors, the court erred in finding that Trease killed the victim in order to avoid a lawful arrest and the  penalty of death was disproportionate. The Supreme Court affirmed the convictions and the sentence of death on 08/17/00.

CCRC filed a notice of appearance in January of 2001. On 03/19/01, Trease filed a motion to dismiss counsel. On 05/23/01, a 3.850 motion was filed on Trease’s behalf. A competency hearing was held on 05/24/01. On 05/31/01, the trial court entered an order: determining the defendant competent to proceed, denying the 3.850 motion, granting the defendant’s motion to dismiss counsel.  On 09/27/02, the 3.850 motion was reinstated.  On 03/27/06, the motion was amended.  On 05/11/07, the amended motion was denied.  Trease filed a motion for rehearing on 05/24/07 which was denied on 06/05/07.

On 11/19/01, Governor Jeb Bush signed a death warrant. The execution was scheduled for 02/07/02, however, Governor Bush granted a Stay of Execution on 02/06/02.

Trease filed a 3.850 Motion Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court on 07/19/07.  This appeal was relinquished to the Circuit Court on 06/19/08 and ended on 10/21/08. The denial of the motion was affirmed on 06/24/10. A mandate was issued on 07/16/10.

On 04/29/08, Trease filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in the Florida Supreme Court.  This petition was denied on 06/24/10.

On 11/22/10, Trease filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. This petition was denied 02/22/11.

Institutional Adjustment:

 DATE        DAYS              VIOLATION                                    LOCATION  

09/24/00        0          DEFACING STATE PROP.                           UNION C.I.         

10/26/05        30        DISORDERLY CONDUCT              FLORIDA STATE PRISON

12/13/05        30        POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

________________________________________________________________________

Report date     06/04/01          WHS

Updated          03/10/11           EMJ