Summary of Offense:
Mark Davis came to St. Petersburg, Florida during late June 1985 and was living in the parking lot of the Gandy Efficiency Apartments when Orville Landis moved into an apartment on July 1, 1985. Davis offered to help Landis move in, and after they finished moving, Davis and Landis began drinking beer together. Davis borrowed money from Landis, and witnesses testified that Landis had approximately $500 in cash that day. Davis separately told two apartment complex residents that he planned to take money from Landis and “do him in.” Davis and Landis were later seen arguing about money and then going into Landis’ apartment. Landis was last seen alive at approximately 8:30 p.m. Davis was last seen around midnight, leaving in Landis’ car. A concerned neighbor had Landis’ window opened, and from the window, she observed him lying on his bed in a pool of blood. Landis’ wallet was empty, except for a single dollar bill. Landis suffered multiple stab wounds to the back, chest, and neck; multiple blows to the face; was choked or hit with sufficient force to break the hyoid bone (a bone in the throat); was intoxicated to a degree that impaired his ability to defend himself; and was alive and conscious when each injury was inflicted. Evidence showed that the slashes to the throat were made with a small-blade knife, which was broken during the attack, and the chest and back wounds were made with a large butcher knife found at the scene.
Davis was sentenced to death in Pinellas County on January 30, 1987.
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