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