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.
FLOYD, Maurice (B/M)
DC# V01514
DOB: 11/29/76
Seventh Judicial Circuit, Putnam County Case # 98-1315
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable William Parsons
Attorney, Trial: Douglas R. Withee – Assistant PublicDefender
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Christopher Quarles – AssistantPublic Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Robert Strain &David Gemmer – CCRC-M
Date of Offense: 07/13/98
Date of Sentence: 05/26/99
Circumstances of Offense:
On the evening of 07/11/98, Trelane Floyd and several of hercousins went to a supper club to celebrate her birthday. Her husband,Maurice Floyd followed her and observed her drinking and dancing. Prior tothis occasion, Maurice Floyd expressed his disapproval of Trelane Floyd’salcohol consumption. When Trelane returned home around 5:00 a.m. on the morningof July 12th, Maurice informed her that he would not allow her to sleep andincreased the volume on the televisions and radio in their apartment. Healso threatened to kill her or someone she loved as reprisal for her drinkingor if she ever attempted to run or hide from him. Later that day, Trelanefelt a gun being placed beside her head as she was lying in bed. Floydpulled the trigger three times, but the weapon did not fire.
On July 13th, Trelane and Maurice Floyd had a heatedargument on a street near their apartment. Trelane attempted to fleeto the sheriff’s office, but Maurice rammed his car into Trelane’scar. After a high-speed chase, Trelane arrived at the sheriff’soffice. Trelane exited the car, screamed for help, and Deputy Dean Kellyresponded from his desk in the office. Trelane was explaining her situationto Deputy Kelly when Maurice began rapidly approaching Trelane onfoot. Deputy Kelly prevented Maurice from approaching further, and advisedhim that he would be placed in investigative custody until the situation couldbe resolved. Maurice extended his hands into the air and backed up toDeputy Kelly, but Maurice fled the scene before the deputy could place thehandcuffs on Maurice.
After giving a statement to sheriff’s office personnel,Trelane called her mother, Mary Goss, to inform her of the fight andconfrontation with Maurice. Ms. Goss told Trelane that her three children wereat her [Goss’] home and that she would not allow Maurice to get them. At somepoint during the evening of July 13th, Maurice went to the house of Ms. Goss,who then told Trelane’s children to run to a neighbor’s house. Severalwitnesses, including the children, saw Maurice and Ms. Goss arguing through thedoor that Maurice had kicked in and saw her run outside onto theporch. Maurice fired three shots at Ms. Goss with a .357 caliber pistol,striking her once in the face, killing her instantly.
Additionally, Floyd confessed to the murder of Mary Goss toa friend, Tashoni Lamb. Floyd told her, “I just shot Miss Mary [Goss], thegrandmother,” and he explained that he shot her because “she had threatened tocall the police.”
Additional Information:
On 05/26/99, Floyd was sentenced to three five year termsfor one count of Burglary, (Case# 95-1456) and two counts of Accessory Afterthe Fact (Case# 95-2062).
Prior Community Supervision History in the State ofFlorida:
| Offense Date | Offense | Sentence Date | County | Case No. | Community Supervision Length |
| 12/18/1995 | BURGUNOCCSTRUC/CV OR ATT. | 09/17/1996 | PUTNAM | 9501456 | 5Y 0M 0D |
| 12/18/1995 | ACCESSORY AFTER FACT | 09/17/1996 | PUTNAM | 9502062 | 5Y 0M 0D |
| 12/18/1995 | ACCESSORY AFTER FACT | 09/17/1996 | PUTNAM | 9502062 | 5Y 0M 0D |
Trial Summary:
08/05/98 Indicted as follows:
Count I First-Degree Murder
Count II ArmedBurglary
Count III AggravatedAssault
04/07/99 Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment
04/08/99 Jury recommended death by a vote of 11-1
05/26/99 Sentenced as follows:
Count I First-Degree Murder – Death
Count II ArmedBurglary – 30 years
Count III AggravatedAssault – 5 years
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 95,824
850 So.2d 383
06/18/99 Appeal filed
08/22/02 FSCaffirmed First-Degree Murder and Assault convictions and sentences, but reversedconviction for Armed Burglary
06/12/03 Rehearing denied and Mandate issued
U.S. Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 03-6488
540 U.S. 1112
09/09/03 Petition filed
01/12/04 USSC denied Petition
Circuit Court – 3.851 Motion
CC# 98-1315
01/10/05 Motion filed
01/24/05 Motion amended
11/28/05 Evidentiary Hearing held
01/09/06 Evidentiary Hearing held
10/31/06 Evidentiary Hearing held
02/01/07 CC denied motion
Florida Supreme Court – 3.851 Motion Appeal
FSC# 07-330
18 So.3d 432
02/22/07 Appeal filed
06/04/09 Appeal denied
06/18/09 Motion for rehearing
09/24/09 Rehearing denied
10/13/09 Mandate issued
Florida Supreme Court – Petition for Writ of HabeasCorpus
FSC# 07-1894
18 So.3d 432
10/11/07 Petition filed
06/04/09 Petition denied
06/18/09 Motion for rehearing
09/24/09 Rehearing denied
United States District Court, Middle District –Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
USDC# 09-1017
(Pending)
10/13/09 Petition filed
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition ofSentence:
The Direct Appeal was pending from 06/18/99 – 08/22/02.
Case Information:
Floyd filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Courton 06/18/99, citing errors related to evidence admission and presentation,aggravating circumstances, and the proportionality of the death penalty. On 08/22/02, the FSC affirmed the First-Degree Murder and Assault convictionsand sentences, but reversed the Armed Burglary conviction.
Floyd filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S.Supreme Court on 09/09/03 that was denied on 01/12/04.
Floyd filed a 3.851 Motion with the Circuit Court on01/10/05 and amended the motion on 01/24/05. On 11/28/05, 01/09/06, and 10/31/06Evidentiary Hearings were held, and on 02/01/07, the CC denied the motion.
Floyd filed a 3.851 Motion Appeal with the Florida SupremeCourt on 02/22/07 that was denied on 06/04/09.
On 10/11/07, Floyd filed a Petition for Writ of HabeasCorpus with the Florida Supreme Court that was denied on 06/04/09.
On 10/13/09, Floyd filed a Petition for Writ of HabeasCorpus with the United States District Court, Middle District that is pending.
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Report Date: 01/29/04 JFL
Approved: 02/03/04 EW
Updated: 12/17/09 KKR