Thursday, October 29, 2009

Florida Supreme Court Stays Execution Of Paul Beasley Johnson

The Florida Supreme Court granted a stay of execution yesterday in the case of Paul Beasley Johnson.  Mr. Johnson was convicted for the 1981 muders "of a cab driver, a good Samaritan who gave Johnson a ride and a deputy in Lakeland." [See Post on Politics]. 

The stay order can be found here.  Prior posts relating to Mr. Johnson's exeuction, previously scheduled for November 4, 2009, can be found here and here.  The court stated "the Court hereby grants a stay of execution in order to consider tpe significant issues raised in Claim 1 of this appeal concerning prosecutodal misconduct. This stay is in effect pending further order of the Court."

The stay was entered by Justice Perry, Justice Labarga, Justice Lewis and Justice Pariente.  Justice Polston dissented.  Chief Justice Quince and Justice Canady were recused.

Articles about the stay can be found in the Miami Herald, the Ledger, the Palm Beach Post and News Chief.

I previously posted the following which will provide additional information:

You can view the docket for Mr. Johnson's 13 appeals to the Florida Supreme Court here.  The lone active appeal can be seen here

Johnson v. State, 438 So. 2D 774 (Fla. 1983): Affirming death sentence.

Johnson v. Wainright, 498 So. 2D 938 (Fla. 1986): Granting petition for habeas corpus and ordering new trial.

Johnson v. State, 608 So. 2d 4 (Fla. 1992): Affirming death sentence.

Johnson v. State, 769 So. 2d 990 (Fla. 2000): Affirming denial of postconviction relief filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850.

Johnson v. Moore (Fla. 2002): Denying habeas corpus petition.

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