The Commission on Capital Cases updates thisinformation regularly. This information; however, is subject to changeand may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not berelied upon for statistical or legal purposes.
ISRAEL, Connie (B/M)
DOB: 04/09/57
Seventh Judicial Circuit, Putnam County Case # 93-1684
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Kim C. Hammond
Attorney, Trial: Pro Se, Clyde Wolfe & Wayne Henderson –Private (Standby Counsel)
Attorney, Direct Appeal: George D.E. Burden – AssistantPublic Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Robert Strain &David Gemmer – CCRC-M
Date of Offense: 12/27/91
Date of Sentence: 05/28/99
Circumstances of Offense:
On 12/27/91, when Esther Hagans did not arrive for work, a fellow employee went toHagan’s house and found her car in the carport. When the employee calledHagan’s house and found no answer, the police were called.
Police found Hagan’sfront door ajar and discovered her body in the bedroom. She was lyingnaked on the bed with her legs spread apart and her hands tied behind herback. Hagan’s body had trauma to the left side of the head, cuts to theleft eyebrow and temple, as well as abrasions and tears on the right side ofthe head, which caused major hemorrhage to the brain. Hagans’body also had external vaginal injuries consistent with sexual assault. The cause of death was a heart attack, brought on by the beating andsexual assault. Hagans was 77 years old at thetime of the murder.
At the crime scene,police also found footprints on the front porch steps and in a drainage ditchalong the side of the house. A screwdriver was found outside of a window,leading police to conclude that the point of entry into the house was a bedroomwindow. Sperm and semen stains were found on a pillowcase, slip, and abedspread found in the bedroom. Semen from vaginal swabs taken fromHagan’s body was consistent with the semen found in the bedroom. Humanblood was also found in a towel at the crime scene.
Connie Israel registeredat the Palatka Holiday Inn on 12/28/91 and paid in cash for two nights. Maryann Pittman, an acquaintance of Israel, testified that she smoked crackcocaine with Israel at the hotel room. Pittman took a shower in the hotelroom and noticed a pair of pants and a shirt in the bathtub, which was filledwith red water. Pittman also noticed a black purse under the bed in theroom and money in his wallet. Israel told her that the money waswinnings from the Florida Lottery.
Melvin Shorter, anacquaintance of Israel who sold him the cocaine, testified that he saw Israeland Pittman at the hotel and that Israel paid cash for the cocaine, telling himthat he had “hit the lottery.”
Israel and three otherindividuals were identified as suspects in the murder of Hagans. All four individuals were interviewed and had blood samples taken. DNAcomparisons revealed that Israel was the source of the sperm and semen stainsfound at the crime scene.
Arthur McComb, a legal clerk who was a cellmate of Israel,testified that Israel asked for help with his case. According to McComb, Israel stated that he was charged with First-DegreeMurder and that he tried to knock the victim’s head off because she tried to“gum him.” Israel also indicated that he had sexually assaulted thevictim and had gone to the victim’s house to steal church money. Israeltook $7,000 to $10,000 during the burglary.
Prior Incarceration History in the State of Florida:
| Current Prison Sentence History: |
| Offense Date | Offense | Sentence Date | County | Case No. | Prison Sentence Length |
| 09/22/1992 | BURGLARY ASSAULT ANY PERSON | 01/27/1994 | PUTNAM | 9201289 | SENTENCED TO LIFE |
| 09/22/1992 | KIDNAP;COMM.OR FAC.FELONY | 01/27/1994 | PUTNAM | 9201289 | SENTENCED TO LIFE |
| 09/22/1992 | ROBB. NO GUN/DDLY.WPN | 01/27/1994 | PUTNAM | 9201289 | 30Y 0M 0D |
| 09/22/1992 | SEX BAT/INJURY NOT LIKELY | 01/27/1994 | PUTNAM | 9301289 | 30Y 0M 0D |
| 09/22/1992 | SEX BAT/INJURY NOT LIKELY | 01/27/1994 | PUTNAM | 9201289 | 30Y 0M 0D |
| 11/05/1993 | BATTERY LAW ENFORCEMENT | 08/18/1994 | PUTNAM | 9301648 | 5Y 0M 0D |
| 11/05/1993 | RESISTING OFFICER W/VIOLEN. | 08/18/1994 | PUTNAM | 9301648 | 5Y 0M 0D |
| Prior Prison History: |
| Offense Date | Offense | Sentence Date | County | Case No. | Prison Sentence Length |
| 04/27/1978 | BURGUNOCCSTRUC/CV OR ATT. | 04/27/1978 | INTERSTATE | | 5Y 0M 0D |
| 06/01/1987 | UTTERING FORGERY | 02/05/1990 | ST. JOHNS | 8701305 | 1Y 10M 0D |
| 06/03/1987 | UTTERING FORGERY | 05/09/1991 | ST. JOHNS | 8701305 | 2Y 6M 0D |
| Prior Community Supervision History: |
| Offense Date | Offense | Sentence Date | County | Case No. | Community Supervision Length |
| 06/01/1987 | UTTERING FORGERY | 02/05/1990 | ST. JOHNS | 8701305 | 5Y 0M 0D |
Trial Summary:
12/16/93 Indicted as follows:
Count I: Burglary
Count II: Kidnapping
Count III: Sexual Battery
Count IV: First-DegreeMurder
11/20/98 Jury was unable to reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared
03/01/99 Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment
03/02/99 Jury recommended death by a vote of 11-1
05/28/99 Sentenced as follows:
Count I: Burglary –Life Imprisonment
Count II: Kidnapping – LifeImprisonment
Count III: Sexual Battery – LifeImprisonment
Count IV: First-Degree Murder – Death
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 95,873
837So.2d 381
06/28/99 Appeal filed
12/19/02 FSC affirmed convictions and sentences
01/09/03 Mandate issued
Florida Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of HabeasCorpus
FSC# 02-24
816So.2d 127
01/04/02 Petition filed
03/14/02 FSC granted Pro Se motion to withdraw Petition
U.S. Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 02-10141
539 U.S. 931
03/19/03 Petition filed
06/16/03 USSC denied Petition
Circuit Court – 3.851 Motion
CC# 93-1684
12/01/03 Motion filed
02/11/04 Motion amended
08/19/05 CC denied Motion
Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Motion Appeal
FSC# 05-1739
985 So. 2d 510
09/16/05 Appeal filed
03/20/08 Appeal denied
Florida Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
FSC# 06-653
985 So. 2d 510
04/06/06 Petition filed
03/20/08 Petition denied
United StatesDistrict Court, Middle District – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
USDC#09-00058
01/23/09 Petition filed
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition ofSentence:
The case appears to beprogressing within acceptable time parameters.
Case Information:
Israel filed a DirectAppeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 06/28/99, citing the following errors: conducting portions of jury selection without defendant’s presence;denying a motion for continuance; failing to grant a motion for mistrial inguilt and penalty phases for prejudicial statements; requiring physicalrestraints in the courtroom; ignoring nonstatutorymitigating evidence; relying on a split jury vote for recommendation of a deathsentence; and disproportionality of the deathsentence. On 12/19/02, the FSC affirmed the convictions andsentences.
Israel filed a Petitionfor Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court on 01/04/02 that waswithdrawn on 03/14/02.
Israel filed a Petitionfor Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on 03/19/03 that was deniedon 06/16/03.
Israel filed a 3.851Motion with the Circuit Court on 12/01/03 and amended the Motion on02/11/04. The Circuit Court denied the motion on 08/19/05.
Israel filed a 3.851Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 09/16/05 that was denied on03/20/08.
Israel filed a Petitionfor Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court on 04/06/06 that thatwas denied on 03/20/08.
Israel filed a Petitionfor Writ of Habeas Corpus with the United States District Court on 01/23/09.This petition is pending.
Institutional Adjustment:
THEFOLLOWING ENTRIES REFLECT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST THE INMATE
FORVIOLATION OF THE RULE CITED AND INDICATE THE GAIN TIME DAYS LOST.
DATE DAYS VIOLATION LOCATION
03/31/94 30 DISOBEYINGORDER NEW RIVER-EAST UNIT
08/12/94 20 REFUSING TOWORK NEW RIVER-EAST UNIT
12/26/94 24 REFUSING TOWORK BAKER C. I.
01/17/95 0 SPOKENTHREATS BAKER C. I.
01/18/95 0 SPOKENTHREATS BAKER C. I.
03/30/95 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS BAKER C. I.
04/06/95 0 DISOBEYINGORDER BAKER C. I.
05/04/95 1 SPOKENTHREATS BAKER C. I.
05/05/95 0 DISOBEYINGORDER BAKER C. I.
05/29/95 0 UNARMEDASSAULT BAKER C. I.
06/07/95 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS BAKER C. I.
06/20/95 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS BAKER C. I.
07/15/95 0 DISOBEYINGORDER BAKER C. I.
08/01/95 0 DISOBEYINGORDER BAKER C. I.
08/02/95 0 SPOKENTHREATS BAKER C. I.
08/02/95 0 DISOBEYINGORDER BAKER C. I.
08/03/95 0 SPOKEN THREATS BAKER C. I.
06/08/96 30 DEST. OF STATE PROP. CENTRAL OFFICE
06/08/96 15 POSS OFCONTRABAND CENTRAL OFFICE
06/28/96 56 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
07/14/96 0 DISOBEYINGORDER CENTRAL OFFICE
07/24/96 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS CENTRAL OFFICE
07/27/96 0 UNARMEDASSAULT CENTRAL OFFICE
07/27/96 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS CENTRAL OFFICE
07/27/96 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
07/28/96 0 SPOKENTHREATS CENTRAL OFFICE
07/28/96 0 DISOBEYREGULATIONS CENTRAL OFFICE
07/28/96 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
07/29/96 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
07/30/96 0 DISOBEYINGORDER CENTRAL OFFICE
08/08/96 0 FAIL.PERSONAL HYG. CENTRAL OFFICE
08/14/96 0 SPOKENTHREATS CENTRAL OFFICE
08/14/96 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS CENTRAL OFFICE
08/14/96 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
08/15/96 0 DISOBEYINGORDER CENTRAL OFFICE
10/23/97 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
10/24/97 0 SPOKENTHREATS CENTRAL OFFICE
10/24/97 0 INCITINGRIOTS CENTRAL OFFICE
10/24/97 0 DISOBEYINGORDER CENTRAL OFFICE
10/24/97 12 MISUSE OF STATEPROP CENTRAL OFFICE
10/24/97 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT CENTRAL OFFICE
11/20/97 0 LYING TOSTAFF TAYLORC.I.
11/25/97 0 SPOKENTHREATS TAYLOR C.I.
11/25/97 0 DISOBEYINGORDER TAYLORC.I.
11/25/97 0 MISUSE OF STATEPROP TAYLOR C.I.
11/25/97 0 DISORDERLYCONDUCT TAYLOR C.I.
06/24/99 180 LYING TOSTAFF FLORIDA STATE PRISON
05/23/01 60 DISOBEYINGORDER UNION C.I.
10/27/05 30 FIGHTING UNION C.I.
Report Date: 06/30/04 JFL
Approved: 07/01/04 EW
Updated: 03/09/09 KLH