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.
KNIGHT, Ronald Alan (W/M)
DC# 610979
DOB: 06/26/68
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County Case# 97-5175 CF
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Edward A. Garrison
Attorneys, Trial: Ann Perry & Jose Sosa – Assistant Public Defenders
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Curtis Levine – Assistant Public Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: William Hennis, III – CCRC-S
Date of Offense: 07/08/93
Date of Sentence: 05/29/98
Circumstances of the Offense:
Ronald Knight was convicted for the murder of Richard Kunkel, which occurred on 07/08/93.
Knight and two codefendants, Timothy Pearson and Dain Brennault, decided to go to a gay bar, lure a man away from the bar, and then beat and rob him. The victim, Richard Kunkel, was invited to leave the bar and go party with the defendants. Kunkel left the bar and followed the defendants to Miami Subs in his own car. When they were finished eating, the defendants convinced Kunkel to leave his car there and ride with them to the party. Knight then drove out to a secluded area where they stopped twice and got out of the car to urinate. Before getting back into the car after their second stop, Knight pointed a gun at Kunkel and told him to turn around and take off his jeans. As Kunkel was complying, Knight fired a single shot into Kunkel’s back. Kunkel then fell to the ground and began crying for help. Knight then told Pearson and Brennault to search Kunkel’s pockets. Pearson searched Kunkel’s pockets, but Brennault refused. Knight and Pearson then dragged Kunkel’s body from the road to the side of a canal where he was left to die, and where his body was later discovered. Knight then threatened to kill Brennault and Pearson if they told anyone about the murder. They returned to Miami Subs where Kunkel had left his car. Knight then stole Kunkel’s car and took it for a joyride, and later that night the three men burglarized Kunkel’s house.
When Brennault and Pearson were originally questioned by the police about the murder, they denied knowing anything about it, but both men later confessed. Knight bragged about the murder to Christopher Holt, who later testified along with Brennault against him at trial. Jeffrey Pearson, Timothy Pearson’s brother, also testified against Knight at trial using statements made to him by Timothy Pearson.
Additional Information:
Knight was indicted and convicted in a nonjury trial. During the guilt phase of his trial, Knight represented himself, assisted by standby counsel, Mr. Sosa.
Codefendant Information:
Timothy Craig Pearson (DC# 197554)
Pearson was convicted for Accessory After the Fact and Armed Robbery. He was sentenced to three years for each offense (CC# 97-5175).
Dain Harold Brennault (DC# W04705)
Brennault was convicted for Accessory After the Fact for his involvement. He was sentenced to five years on probation (CC# 99-13031).
Evidence revealed that neither of the codefendants knew Knight planned to kill Kunkel.
Prior Incarceration History:
|
05/08/95 |
1ST DG MUR/PREMED. OR ATT. |
12/08/95 |
PALM BEACH |
9505038 |
SENTENCED TO LIFE |
|
|
05/08/95 |
ROBB. GUN/DEADLY WPN |
12/08/95 |
PALM BEACH |
9505038 |
SENTENCED TO LIFE |
|
|
05/08/95 |
GRAND THEFT,300 L/5,000 |
12/08/95 |
PALM BEACH |
9505038 |
15Y 0M 0D |
|
|
11/11/86 |
WRITTEN THREATS TO KILL |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8612235 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
|
12/19/88 |
BURG/DWELL/OCCUP.CONVEY |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8816408 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
|
12/19/88 |
BURGUNOCCSTRUC/CV OR ATT.(CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT) |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8816408 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
|
12/19/88 |
BURGLARY TOOLS-POSSESS |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8816408 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
|
11/11/86 |
WRITTEN THREATS TO KILL |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8612235 |
2Y 0M 0D |
|
|
12/19/88 |
BURG/DWELL/OCCUP.CONVEY |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8816408 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
|
12/19/88 |
BURG/DWELL/OCCUP.CONVEY |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8816408 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
|
12/19/88 |
BURGLARY TOOLS-POSSESS |
03/08/89 |
PALM BEACH |
8816408 |
4Y 0M 0D |
|
Trial Summary:
05/08/97 Indicted as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder
Count II: Armed Robbery
Count III: Burglary
Count IV: Grand Theft Auto (Hate Crime)
02/20/98 Knight waived his trial by jury.
05/29/98 Sentenced to death by the trial judge.
05/29/98 Sentenced as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder – Death
Count II: Armed Robbery – 3 years
Count III: Burglary – 15 years
Count IV: Grand Theft Auto (Hate Crime) – 5 years
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 93,473
770 So.2d 663
07/17/98 Appeal filed
02/07/00 Convictions and sentences affirmed
12/13/00 Mandate issued
United States Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 00-8756
532 U.S. 1011
03/08/01 Petition filed
04/30/01 Petition denied
State Circuit Court – 3.850 Motion
CC# 97-5175
09/27/01 Motion filed
06/03/04 Amended motion filed
10/19/10 Motion denied
Florida Supreme Court – Pro Se 3.850 Petition
FSC #07-2251
983 So.2d 1154
10/22/07 Petition filed
05/07/08 Dismissed voluntarily
Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Appeal (Non-final)
FSC# 08-2241
30 So.3d 493
12/04/08 Petition seeking review of non-final order filed
12/24/08 Proper petition filed
12/23/09 Petition dismissed
01/08/10 Motion for Rehearing filed
02/23/10 Motion denied
Florida Supreme Court – Habeas Petition
FSC# 08-2251
30 So.3d 493
12/05/08 Petition filed
12/12/09 Petition dismissed
01/08/10 Motion for Rehearing filed
02/23/10 Motion denied
Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Appeal (Non-final)
FSC# 09-265
19 So.3d 311
02/13/09 Petition seeking review of non-final order filed
03/13/09 Proper petition filed
09/14/09 Petition denied
Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Appeal (Non-final)
FSC# 09-2130
30 So.3d 493
11/09/09 Petition seeking review of non-final order filed
02/18/10 Petition denied
Case Information:
On 07/17/98, Knight filed a Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court. The Court found that Knight knowingly and intelligently waived his appointed defense counsel, and that an inquiry was not required to determine if counsel was incompetent before discharging them. After discharging the court-appointed counsel, the Court once again offered assistance of court-appointed counsel at the beginning of the trial even though not required to do so. In addition, the Court also stated that Knight’s prior felony conviction could be used as an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Court affirmed his conviction and sentence on 05/29/98.
Knight filed for Petition of Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court on 03/08/01, which was denied on 04/30/01.
Knight filed a 3.850 Motion to the Circuit Court on 09/27/01, which was amended on 06/03/04. The motion was denied on 10/19/10.
On 10/22/07, Knight filed a Pro Se appeal petition in the Florida Supreme Court seeking review of the non-final order in his postconviction proceeding in the Circuit Court. This petition was dismissed voluntarily on 05/07/08.
On 12/04/08, Knight filed a petition seeking review of a non-final order in a death penalty proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court. On 12/24/08, Knight filed the proper petition seeking review of a non-final order in compliance with Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.142(b). This petition was dismissed on 12/23/09. A motion for rehearing was filed on 01/08/10. The motion was denied on 02/23/10.
On 12/05/08, Knight filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus in the Florida Supreme Court, and it was dismissed on 12/23/09. A motion for rehearing was filed on 01/08/10. The motion was denied on 02/23/10.
On 02/13/09, Knight filed a petition seeking review of a non-final order in a death penalty proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court. On 03/13/09, Knight filed the proper petition seeking review of a non-final order in compliance with Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.142(b). This petition was denied on 09/14/09.
Knight filed a petition seeking review of a non-final order in a death penalty proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court on 11/09/09. This petition was denied on 02/18/10.
Institutional Adjustment:
DATE DAYS VIOLATION LOCATION
-------- ---- ----------------- -------------------
07/29/96 0 POSS OF NARCOTICS CENTRAL OFFICE
08/01/96 0 DISOBEY REGULATIONS CENTRAL OFFICE
09/26/96 0 DEST. OF ST. PROP CENTRAL OFFICE
06/05/00 180 UNARMED ASSAULT UNION C. I.
02/27/02 30 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C. I.
09/24/04 60 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS UNION C. I.
09/24/04 60 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS UNION C.I.
08/06/05 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY UNION C.I.
________________________________________________________________________
Report Date 08/26/04 KB
Approved 08/26/04 JFL
Updated 10/26/10 EMJ