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.
DAVIS, Toney (B/M)
DC# 300807
DOB: 03/12/70
Fourth Judicial Circuit, Duval County Case # 92-13193
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Henry E. Davis
Attorney, Trial: Charlie Adams – Private
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Bill Salmon – Special AssistantPublic Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Wayne Henderson – Registry
Date of Offense: 12/09/92
Date of Sentence: 07/18/95
Circumstances of Offense:
Toney Davis lived with Gwen Cunningham from September 1992until 12/09/92. On 12/09/92, Gwen Cunningham left her two-year-olddaughter, Caleasha, in the care of Davis while she ran an errand. Anacquaintance of Davis, Thomas Moore, arrived at the apartment around 12:45p.m. Davis answered the door with Caleasha draped over his arm. Davis told Moore that Caleasha had choked on a French fry, and while Moorecalled 911, Davis gave Caleasha mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Prior tothe 911 call, neighbors reported hearing thumping noises and Davis’ raisedvoice coming from the apartment.
Caleasha was wet, unconscious, and had blood in her mouthwhen she was examined at the apartment. She was naked from the waistdown, although she was fully clothed when Gwen Cunningham left theapartment. Caleasha was revived, but later died on 12/10/92.
The emergency room doctor who examined Caleasha noticedbruising, swelling of the brain, and pools of blood in the skull, as well asinjuries that suggested vaginal penetration by a penis, finger, or otherobject. The cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage, caused by four blowsto the head.
Caleasha’s hair bow was found in the bed and her blood wasfound on the sheet, pillowcase, in the bathroom, and on the crotch of Davis’shorts and underwear.
Trial Summary:
12/15/94 Indicted as follows:
Count I First-Degree Murder
Count II AggravatedChild Abuse
Count III Sexual Batteryof a Child Under 12
05/11/95 Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment
06/13/95 Jury recommended a death sentence by a vote of 11-1
07/18/95 Sentenced as follows:
Count I First-Degree Murder – Death
Count II AggravatedChild Abuse – 10 years
Count III Sexual Batteryof a Child Under 12 – Life
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 86,363
703 So.2d 1055
08/29/95 Appeal filed
11/06/97 FSC affirmed convictions and sentences
01/09/98 Rehearing denied
02/09/98 Mandate issued
U.S. Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 97-8683
524 U.S. 930
04/09/98 Petition filed
06/15/98 USSC denied Petition
Circuit Court – 3.850 Motion
CC# 92-13193
05/03/99 Motion filed
05/06/04 Motion amended
07/01/05 Motion amended
07/27/06 Motion amended
04/30/09 Motion amended
05/05/09 Motion amended
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition ofSentence:
The 3.850 Motion has been pending since 05/03/99.
Case Information:
On 08/29/95, Davis filed a Direct Appeal with the FloridaSupreme Court, citing the following trial court errors: denial of motionto remove counsel before trial; denial of motion for judgment of acquittal; sexualbattery conviction should be reversed; admitting victim impact evidence;considering and finding the heinous, atrocious, or cruel aggravatingcircumstance when the jury did not consider it; finding that the murder wascommitted during a violent felony aggravator; disproportionate sentencing incomparison to other cases. The FSC affirmed the convictions and sentenceson 11/06/97.
On 04/09/98, Davis filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorariwith the U.S. Supreme Court that was denied on 06/15/98.
On 05/03/99, Davis filed a 3.850 Motion with the CircuitCourt and amended the Motion on 05/06/04, 07/01/05, and 07/27/06. TheMotion is pending.
Institutional Adjustment:
THE FOLLOWING ENTRIES REFLECT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONSAGAINST THE INMATE FOR VIOLATION OF THE RULE CITED AND INDICATE THE GAIN TIMEDAYS LOST.
DATE DAYS VIOLATION LOCATION
08/15/97 180 UNAUTH USE OF DRUGS UNION C.I.
06/08/98 0 FIGHTING UNIONC.I.-MED.FAC.
11/30/00 30 DEST. OF STATEPROP. UNION C.I.
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Report Date: 10/18/01 JFL
Approved: 12/03/01 WS
Updated: 07/30/09 KKR