The Commission onCapital Cases updates this information regularly. This information, however, issubject to change and may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case andshould not be relied on for statistical or legal purposes.
Wuornos, Aileen W/F
A.K.A.: Greene, Cammie Marsh, Grody, Lori Kristine,Blahovec, Susan Lynn
DC# 150924
DOB: 02/29/56
Volusia County Case:
Seventh Judicial Circuit, Volusia County Case#91-0257
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Uriel Blount
Trial Attorney: Steven Glazer
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Christopher S. Quarles, AssistantPublic Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Richie Kiley, CCRC (Dischargedon 04-01-02, per FSC)
Date of Offense: Approximately 12-01-89
Date of Sentence:01-31-92
Circumstance of Offense:
On December 1, 1989 a deputy discovered an abandoned vehiclebelonging to Richard Mallory. His body was later found December 13, 1989,several miles away from his vehicle, in a wooded area. A forensic investigationrevealed that Mallory had been shot four times with a .22 caliber firearm whilesitting behind the wheel of his vehicle, and his pockets had been turned insideout. The medical examiner determined that he had been drinking; however wasunable to determine if he was intoxicated. Investigators set up a command postin Marion County in an attempt to locate suspects. After the release of a pressreport, investigators developed several hundred leads. The pool of suspects wasnarrowed to two main suspects: Aileen Wuornos and her companion, Tyria Moore.It was discovered that Wuornos had pawned a radar detector and a camerabelonging to the victim. Investigators searched a warehouse rented by Wuornosand located several of victim Mallory’s possessions. Officers apprehendedWuornos, and she gave a full confession admitting that she had killed Mallorybut denied that her companion, Moore had any knowledge of or involvement in themurder.
Trial Summary:
01-16-91-Defendant arrested.
02-20-91- Public Defender (7th circuit) filedmotion to withdrawal as counsel.
02-22-91- Motion denied.
03-04-91- Motion to dismiss 7th circuit Public Defendergranted. Tricia Jenkins,
an assistant public defenderof 5th Judicial Circuit appointed.
12-06-91- State filed motion for Judge Gayle Graziano torecuse herself; motion denied.
12-13-91- State’s motion for recusal granted: Judge UrielBlount appointed.
01-27-92- Defendant found guilty by the trial jury.
01-30-92- Upon advisory sentencing, the jury, by a 12 to 0vote, recommended the death
penalty.
01-31-92- Defendant adjudicated guilty. sentenced asfollows:
Count I: First Degree Murder- Death
Count II: Robbery with a Firearm- 10 yearsprison.
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court, Direct Appeal.
FSC# 79,484
644 So.2d. 1000 (Fla. 1994)
03-09-92- Appeal filed
09-22-94- FSC affirmed convictions and sentence of Death.
11-16-94- Rehearing denied.
12-20-94- Mandate issued.
United States Supreme Court, Petitionfor Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 94-8135
514 U.S. 1069; 115 S.Ct. 1705; 131 L.Ed.2d 566
02-14-95- Petition filed
04-17-95- USSC denied petition.
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case # 91-0257-CF
03-24-97- Motion filed.
04-11-00- Motion denied.
Florida Supreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Denial
FSC# SC00-1199
06-05-00- Appeal filed
06-13-01- Jurisdiction relinquished to circuit court todetermine competency. (90 days)
Florida Supreme Court, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
FSC# SC01-822
04-16-01- Petition filed.
06-13-01- Jurisdiction relinquished to circuit court todetermine competency. (90 days)
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case # 91-0257-CF
06-13-01- Competency to be determined per FSC.
07-20-01- Defendant determined to be competent.
Florida Supreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Denial
FSC# SC00-1199
08-15-01- Returned from circuit court.
04-01-02- CCRC discharged, appeal dismissed.
Florida Supreme Court, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
FSC# SC01-822
08-15-01- Returned from circuit court.
04-01-02- CCRC discharged, petition dismissed.
Volusia County Case Information:
On 01-28-93 Wuornos filed a Direct Appeal to the FloridaSupreme Court. Wuornos’ arguments on appeal included, that certain informationand documents were withheld from her during pre-trial discovery, lawenforcement officials brought notes to the witness stand, the Williams ruleprejudiced her case, law enforcement officers tricked her into confessing, thetrial court erred in denying a change of venue and in instructing the jury onher offense, meeting the criteria of cold, calculated premeditation and theheinous atrocious and cruel aggravator. She claimed the trial court improperlypermitted the State to introduce her lack of remorse and failed to considermitigating factors. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the Judgment andsentence on 09-22-94. The United States Supreme Court on 04-17-95 deniedcertiorari.
Wuornos then filed a 3.850 motion in the state circuitcourt. This motion was denied on 04-25-00. The denial was appealed to theFlorida Supreme Court on 06-05-00, and a Habeas petition was filed on 04-16-01.Both of these appeals are presently pending in the Florida Supreme Court. On06-13-01, the Florida Supreme Court relinquished jurisdiction for 90 days tothe circuit court to determine Wuornos’ competency.
On 07-20-01, the court determined Wuornos competent. On08-15-01 the Florida Supreme Court received the order from the circuit courtreturning both the 3.850 and habeas appeals. On 04-01-02, the Florida SupremeCourt approved of the trial court’s conclusion that Wuornos is competent to proceed.The court discharged the Office of the Capital Collateral RegionalCounsel-Middle Region, and dismissed her appeals without further review.
Marion/Citrus County Cases:
Fifth Judicial Circuit, Marion County Cases # 91-304, 91-463
Citrus County Case # 91-112CF
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Thomas D. Sawaya
Trial Attorney: Steven Glazer
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Christopher Quarles, AssistantPublic Defender
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Richie Kiley, CCRC (Dischargedon 04-01-02, per FSC)
Marion County Case - 91-304:
Date of Offense: Approximately 9-11-90
Date of Sentence: 05-15-92
Circumstance of Offense:
On September 11, 1990, Charles Humphreys, a retired Alabama police chief employed by HRS as a caseworker, was reported missing by his family.The following day his body was discovered in an isolated area. The autopsyindicated that the victim had been shot seven times. Investigators reportedthat the victim’s pockets were turned inside out and later discovered hiswallet and police badge approximately fifty miles away. The victim’s car waslocated behind an abandoned gas station and had been wiped clean to removefingerprints. The license tag and bumper sticker had been removed.
Once in custody Aileen Wuornos confessed that she had shotthe victim with a .22 high standard 9 shot single action revolver. She claimedthat she had shot him additional times “ to put him out of his misery”.
Marion County Case –91-463
Circumstance of Offense:
Delivery truck driver Troy Burress vanished while makingdeliveries on 7-30-1990. His truck was discovered the next day at theintersection of State Roads 40 and 19. Both his keys and his delivery receiptswere missing .On 8-4-1990 his body was discovered approximately eight milesfrom where his truck was recovered. His wallet, credit cards and receipts werelocated; however, his cash was missing. The autopsy indicated that he died as aresult of two gunshot wounds to the chest and back.
Trial Summary:
02-20-91- Defendant indicted by the Grand Jury, Public Defenderappointed
02-08-91- Plea of Not Guilty entered
03-26-92- Motion to withdraw as counsel (public defender)granted.
Private Attorney Steven Glazer appointed.
03-31-92- Plea of Nolo Contendre entered.
05-07-92- Upon advisory sentencing, the jury, by a 10 to 2majority recommended
the death penalty.
05-15-92- The defendant was adjudicated guilty and sentencedas follows:
Count I: First Degree Murder- Death
Count II: Robbery with a Firearm- 40 yearsprison/three- year mandatory
minimum.
Citrus County Case – 91-112
Circumstance of Offense:
In June 1990, the nude, decomposed body of David Spears wasdiscovered. A used condom was found close to the body. A forensicanthropologist determined that the victim had died of six gunshot wounds. Thevictim’s truck was found at a separate location. The truck had a flat tire andhad been abandoned. Spears’ toolbox, clothing, a ceramic panther, the vehicletag, and his car keys were missing.
Trial Summary:
02-22-91- Defendant was indicted by the Grand Jury.
03-31-92- Defendant represented by private attorney StevenGlazer, enters a plea
of Nolo Contendre.
05-15-92- The defendant was adjudicated guilty and sentencedas follows
Count I: First Degree Murder- Death
Count II: Robbery with a Firearm- 40 yearsprison/three- year mandatory
Marion/Citrus County Circuit Court Cases
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court, Direct Appeal.
FSC# 81,059
644 So.2d 1012
01-13-93- Appeal filed
10-06-94- FSC affirmed convictions and sentences of Death.
11-21-94- Rehearing denied.
12-21-94- Mandate issued.
United States Supreme Court, Petition for Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 94-8193
514 U.S. 1070; 115 S. Ct. 1708; 131 L. Ed.2d 568
02-21-95- Petition filed
04-17-95- USSC denied petition.
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case #’s 91-112CF(Citrus), 91-304, 91-463, (Marion)
03-24-97- Motion filed.
10-09-00- Huff hearing held.
06-07-01-Motion denied
Florida Supreme Court, 3.850 Appeal
FSC# SC01-1391
07-10-01- Appeal filed
06-13-01- Jurisdiction relinquished to circuit court todetermine competency. (90 days)
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case # 91-0257-CF
06-13-01- Competency to be determined per FSC.
07-20-01- Defendant determined to be competent.
Florida Supreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Denial
FSC# SC01-1391
08-15-01- Returned from circuit court.
04-01-02- CCRC discharged, appeal dismissed.
Marion/Citrus County Case information:
On 01-13-93, Wuornos filed a direct appeal to the FloridaSupreme Court. She argued a number of claims including, her no-contest plea wasnot voluntarily or intelligently made, her plea was improper because shealleges that she had killed in self-defense, the trial judge failed to appriseher of the mandatory minimum sentence of Life imprisonment. Wuornos claimed herstatements in her plea colloquy were so rambling and irrational that the trialcourt should have ordered an evaluation to determine competency to standtrial. Wuornos alleges she was denied her rights when during closingarguments, the State urged the jury to take its role seriously even though shehad been sentenced to death in an earlier murder. She claimed there wasinsufficient evidence to support some aggravating factors and that validmitigators were ignored. The Supreme Court subsequently affirmed theconvictions and sentences on 10-06-94. The United States Supreme Court on04-17-95 denied certiorari.
Wuornos then filed a 3.850 motion on 03-24-97 that wassubsequently denied on
06-07-01. An appeal of the trial court’s 3.850 denial wasfiled in the Florida Supreme Court on 07-10-01. On 06-13-01, the FloridaSupreme Court relinquished jurisdiction for 90 days to the circuit court todetermine Wuornos’ competency. On 07-20-01, the court determined Wuornoscompetent. On 08-15-01 the Florida Supreme Court received the order from thecircuit court returning the 3.850 appeal. On 04-01-02, the Florida SupremeCourt approved of the trial court’s conclusion that Wuornos is competent toproceed. The court discharged the Office of the Capital Collateral RegionalCounsel-Middle Region, and dismissed her appeals without further review.
Dixie County Case:
Third Judicial Circuit, Dixie County Case # 92-52
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Royce Agner
Trial Attorney: Steven Glazer
Attorney, Direct Appeal: David Davis
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Richie Kiley, CCRC
Date of Offense: 11-18-90
Date of Sentence: 02-04-93
Circumstance of Offense:
On 11-18-1990, sixty-two year old Walter Antonio left Cocoa, Florida heading toward Montgomery, Alabama. The following day his nude body wasdiscovered in a wooded area north of Cross City, Florida. Evidence indicatedthat he had been shot four times in the back with a .22 caliber gun.
Aileen Wuornos claimed in her confession that victim Antoniohad pulled out a false police badge and claimed that he would arrest her unlessshe had sex with him for free. Wuornos claimed that she challenged him,asserting that he was not a law enforcement officer. She stated he continueddemanding sex therefore; she pulled her gun. She claimed a struggle occurred,and she shot him twice. He called her a profane name, and she then shot himtwice more. Wuornos claimed she took some of his property and fled in his car.Detectives discovered that Wuornos had pawned a ring belonging to the victimand later found a number of his belongings in a warehouse rented by her.
Trial Summary:
04-16-92- Defendant indicted by the Grand Jury
02-04-93-Upon advisory recommendation, the jury, by a 7 to 5majority recommended
the death penalty.
02-04-93- The defendant entered a plea of guilty, wasadjudicated guilty and sentenced as
follows:
Count I: First Degree Murder- Death
Count II: Robbery with a Firearm- 17years prison
Appeal Summary
Florida Supreme Court, Direct Appeal.
FSC# 81,498
676 So. 2d 972
03-30-93- Appeal filed
05-09-96- FSC affirmed convictions and sentence of Death.
07-10-96- Rehearing denied.
08-09-96- Mandate issued.
United States Supreme Court, Petitionfor Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 96-6063
519 U.S. 997; 117 S.Ct.491; 136 L. Ed. 2d 384
09-23-96- Petition filed
11-18-96- USSC denied petition.
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case # 92-52-CF
(Pending)
11-01-97- Motion filed.
03-01-00- Amended motion filed.
Case Information:
Wuornos filed a Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Courton 3-30-93. She challenged her conviction, based on a number of issuesincluding, the contention that the trial court erred in accepting her guiltyplea, which was not voluntary because defense counsel did not adequately adviseher as to the consequence of her action. Wuornos argued that the trial courterred in finding the murder aggravated by cold, calculated premeditation and thatthe jury instruction given on this issue was the same one condemned in Jackson v. State 648 So. 2d 85 (Fla. 1994) requiring a new penalty phase. Wuornos claimedthe court failed to find in mitigation the alleged fact that the victimcontributed to the acts leading to his death. The Florida Supreme Court thenaffirmed the judgment and sentence of the trial court. The United StatesSupreme Court on 11-18-96 denied certiorari.
Wuornos then filed a 3.850 motion in the trial court, whichis presently pending.
Pasco County Case:
Sixth Judicial Circuit, Pasco County Case # 91-01232
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Wayne L. Cobb
Trial Attorney: Steven Glazer
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Paul Helm
Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Richie Kiley, CCRC (Dischargedon 04-01-02, per FSC)
Date of Offense: Between 5-31-90 and 6-6-1990
Date of Sentence:02-05-93
Circumstance of Offense:
Charles Carskaddon was last seen alive on 5-31-90, when heleft home en route to Tampa driving his Cadillac. His badly decomposed body wasdiscovered in Pasco County
on 6-6-1990 in a remote area. His body was covered by anelectric blanket and covered with grass. The Medical examiner determined thathe had been shot eight times.
Investigators located his car and its contents in a separatelocation. Law enforcement officials discovered that Wuornos pawned a gunbelonging to the victim and was observed by witnesses driving the victim’s car.
Trial Summary:
04-16-91- Defendant was indicted by the Grand Jury
05-15-91- Public Defender appointed.
05-15-91- Defendant entered a plea of not guilty
04-06-92- Motion for public defender to withdraw as counselgranted, Steven Gazer
appointed on 06-22-92.Defendant filed a petition to enter a plea of guilty.
02-05-93-Penalty Phase waived, Defendant adjudicated guilty,Sentenced as follows:
Count I: First Degree Murder- Death
Appellate Summary:
Florida Supreme Court, Direct Appeal.
FSC# 81,466
676 So. 2d.972
03-24-93- Appeal filed
09-21-95- FSC affirmed convictions and sentence of Death.
06-05-96- Rehearing denied.
07-09-96- Mandate issued.
United States Supreme Court, Petitionfor Writ of Certiorari
USSC# 96-5766
519 U.S. 968; 117 S.Ct. 136 L. Ed.2d 310
08-29-96- Petition filed
11-04-96- USSC denied petition.
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case # 91-1232-CF
11-25-97- Motion filed.
07-27-00- Motion denied.
Florida Supreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Denial
FSC# SC00-1748
08-25-00- Appeal filed
06-13-01- Jurisdiction relinquished to circuit court todetermine competency. (90 days)
Florida Supreme Court, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
FSC# SC01-265
02-05-01- Petition filed.
06-13-01- Jurisdiction relinquished to circuit court todetermine competency. (90 days)
State Circuit Court, 3.850 Motion
Circuit Court Case # 91-0257-CF
06-13-01- Competency to be determined per FSC.
07-20-01- Defendant determined to be competent.
Florida Supreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Denial
FSC# SC00-1748
08-15-01- Returned from circuit court.
04-01-02- CCRC discharged, appeal dismissed.
Florida Supreme Court, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
FSC# SC01-265
08-15-01- Returned from circuit court.
04-01-02- CCRC discharged, petition dismissed.
Case Information:
Wuornos filed her Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Courton 03-24-93. Her arguments included, that her guilty plea was accepted in errorby the trial court, waiver of her rights in a penalty phase should be invalid,her own behavior was sufficiently irrational that the trial court erred in notordering a competency evaluation, the state failed to prove cold calculated andpremeditated, trial court failed to weigh Wuornos’ mitigating factors. TheFlorida Supreme Court subsequently affirmed her conviction and sentence. TheUnited States Supreme Court denied her Petition for Writ of Certiorari on01-04-96.
She subsequently filed a 3.850 motion on 11-25-97 that wasdenied on 07-27-00. Wuornos appealed that denial to the Florida Supreme Courton 08-25-00. She later filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in theFlorida Supreme Court on 02-05-01.
On 06-13-01, the Florida Supreme Court relinquishedjurisdiction for 90 days to the circuit court to determine Wuornos’ competency.On 07-20-01, the court determined Wuornos competent. On 08-15-01 the FloridaSupreme Court received the order from the circuit court returning both the3.850 and habeas appeals. On 04-01-02, the Florida Supreme Court approved ofthe trial court’s conclusion that Wuornos is competent to proceed. The courtdischarged the Office of the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel-Middle Region,and dismissed her appeals without further review.
Warrants:
09-05-02- Governor Jeb Bush signed a Death Warrant.
Execution scheduled for 10-09-02
Reason for Delay in Execution of Sentence:
Aileen Wuornos has six individual convictions and deathsentences and four separate appeals that are being considered at the same time.The cases appear to have been handled within an appropriate time frame;however, one 3.850 motion is presently pending. The reason for non-dispositionas stated in the Quarterly report from the state circuit court, is that CCRC isattempting to coordinate the post conviction relief in all involved counties toavoid duplicative efforts.
It should be noted that Aileen Wuornos sent a letter to theFlorida Supreme Court in April 2001, requesting that she be allowed to waivethe representation of CCRC and waive the remainder of her appeals.
On June 13, 2001, the Florida Supreme Court cancelled theoral argument set for October 2, 01 and consolidated all of Wuornos’postconviction proceedings and relinquished jurisdiction, for 90 days, to theSeventh Judicial Circuit in order to determine if she is competent to waiveboth her counsel and remaining postconviction proceedings in accordance with Durocherv. State, 623 So. 2d 482, 485 (Fla. 1993), and Castro v. State, 744So. 2d 986 (Fla. 1999). On July 20, 2001, the court determined Wuornoscompetent, and returned the pending cases to the Florida Supreme Court. On04-01-02, the Florida Supreme Court approved of the trial court’s conclusionthat Wuornos is competent to proceed. The court discharged the Office of theCapital Collateral Regional Counsel-Middle Region, and dismissed her appealswithout further review.
Governor Bush signed a death warrant for Wuornos onSeptember 5, 2002, and scheduled the execution for October 9, 2002.
Institutional Adjustment:
| BROWARD C. I. | DISOBEYING ORDER | 05/14/1992 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | ATTEMPT OR CONSPIRE | 08/16/1993 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | SPOKEN THREATS | 04/13/1994 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| CENTRAL OFFICE | SPOKEN THREATS | 07/16/1994 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | VERBAL DISRESPECT | 12/15/1996 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | DISOBEYING ORDER | 07/19/1997 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | VERBAL DISRESPECT | 09/19/1997 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | DISOBEYING ORDER | 09/19/1997 | NO DISCIPLINE |
| BROWARD C. I. | VERBAL DISRESPECT | 01/01/2000 | DISCIPLINARY CONFINEMENT |
Approved 05-15-01- WHS, Update 04-02-02- WHS.