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Thread: Ronald Alan Knight - Florida Death Row

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    Ronald Alan Knight - Florida Death Row




    Facts of the Crime:

    Ronald Knight was convicted for the murder of Richard Kunkel, which occurred on July 8, 1993. Knight and two codefendants, Timothy Pearson and Dain Brennault, decided to go to a gay bar, lure a man away from the bar, and then beat and rob him. The victim, Richard Kunkel, was invited to leave the bar and go party with the defendants. Kunkel left the bar and followed the defendants to Miami Subs in his own car. When they were finished eating, the defendants convinced Kunkel to leave his car there and ride with them to the party. Knight then drove out to a secluded area where they stopped twice and got out of the car to urinate. Before getting back into the car after their second stop, Knight pointed a gun at Kunkel and told him to turn around and take off his jeans.

    As Kunkel was complying, Knight fired a single shot into Kunkel’s back. Kunkel then fell to the ground and began crying for help. Knight then told Pearson and Brennault to search Kunkel’s pockets. Pearson searched Kunkel’s pockets, but Brennault refused. Knight and Pearson then dragged Kunkel’s body from the road to the side of a canal where he was left to die, and where his body was later discovered. Knight then threatened to kill Brennault and Pearson if they told anyone about the murder. They returned to Miami Subs where Kunkel had left his car. Knight then stole Kunkel’s car and took it for a joyride, and later that night the three men burglarized Kunkel’s house.

    When Brennault and Pearson were originally questioned by the police about the murder, they denied knowing anything about it, but both men later confessed. Knight bragged about the murder to Christopher Holt, who later testified along with Brennault against him at trial. Jeffrey Pearson, Timothy Pearson’s brother, also testified against Knight at trial using statements made to him by Timothy Pearson.

    Additional Information:
    Knight was indicted and convicted in a nonjury trial. During the guilt phase of his trial, Knight represented himself, assisted by standby counsel, Mr. Sosa.

    Knight was sentenced to death in Palm Beach County on May 29, 1998.

    Co-defendant information:
    Timothy Craig Pearson was convicted for accessory-after-the-fact and armed robbery. He was sentenced to three years for each offense.
    Dain Harold Brennault was convicted for accessory-after-the-fact for his involvement. He was sentenced to five years on probation.
    Evidence revealed that neither of the co-defendants knew Knight planned to kill Kunkel.

  2. #2
    Senior Member CnCP Legend JLR's Avatar
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    Case Information:

    On 07/17/98, Knight filed a Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court. The Court found that Knight knowingly and intelligently waived his appointed defense counsel, and that an inquiry was not required to determine if counsel was incompetent before discharging them. After discharging the court-appointed counsel, the Court once again offered assistance of court-appointed counsel at the beginning of the trial even though not required to do so. In addition, the Court also stated that Knight’s prior felony conviction could be used as an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Court affirmed his conviction and sentence on 05/29/98.

    Knight filed for Petition of Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court on 03/08/01, which was denied on 04/30/01.

    Knight filed a 3.850 Motion to the Circuit Court on 09/27/01, which was amended on 06/03/04. The motion was denied on 10/19/10.

    On 10/22/07, Knight filed a Pro Se appeal petition in the Florida Supreme Court seeking review of the non-final order in his postconviction proceeding in the Circuit Court. This petition was dismissed voluntarily on 05/07/08.

    On 12/04/08, Knight filed a petition seeking review of a non-final order in a death penalty proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court. On 12/24/08, Knight filed the proper petition seeking review of a non-final order in compliance with Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.142(b). This petition was dismissed on 12/23/09. A motion for rehearing was filed on 01/08/10. The motion was denied on 02/23/10.

    On 12/05/08, Knight filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus in the Florida Supreme Court, and it was dismissed on 12/23/09. A motion for rehearing was filed on 01/08/10. The motion was denied on 02/23/10.

    On 02/13/09, Knight filed a petition seeking review of a non-final order in a death penalty proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court. On 03/13/09, Knight filed the proper petition seeking review of a non-final order in compliance with Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.142(b). This petition was denied on 09/14/09.

    Knight filed a petition seeking review of a non-final order in a death penalty proceeding in the Florida Supreme Court on 11/09/09. This petition was denied on 02/18/10.

  3. #3
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On February 12, 2013, Knight filed a habeas petition in Federal District Court.

    http://dockets.justia.com/docket/flo...v80154/415194/

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    In today's orders, the United States Supreme Court declined to review Knight's petition for certiorari.

    Lower Ct: United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    Case Nos.: (14-11024)
    Decision Date: July 9, 2014
    Rehearing Denied: September 3, 2014

    http://www.supremecourt.gov/search.a...es/14-8389.htm

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    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    RONALD KNIGHT v STATE OF FLORIDA, RONALD KNIGHT v JULIE L. JONES etc.

    In today's Florida Supreme Court opinions, the court DENIED Knight's motion to vacate his first-degree murder conviction and sentence of death filed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850 and DENIED his petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

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    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    RONALD KNIGHT v STATE OF FLORIDA, RONALD KNIGHT v JULIE L. JONES etc.

    In today's Florida Supreme Court opinions, the court DENIED Knight's motion to vacate his first-degree murder conviction and sentence of death filed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851 and DENIED his petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

    "Y'all be makin shit up" ~ Markeith Loyd

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On October 16, 2017, Knight filed a subsequent habeas petition in Federal District Court.

    https://dockets.justia.com/docket/fl...cv81159/514816

  8. #8
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On June 12, 2018, Knight filed an appeal before the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

    https://dockets.justia.com/docket/ci.../ca11/18-12488

  9. #9
    Senior Member CnCP Legend Neil's Avatar
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    On May 1st 2020, the Eleventh Circuit DENIED his petition for habeas relief.

    http://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opini.../201812488.pdf
    Last edited by Neil; 05-03-2020 at 08:49 PM.

  10. #10
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    The panel was made up of Judges Martin (Obama), Jordan (Obama) and Newsom (Trump).

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