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Thread: Lionel Michael Miller - Florida

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    Lionel Michael Miller - Florida




    Summary of Offense:

    Lionel Miller was sentenced to die by lethal injection for the fatal stabbing of 72-year-old Jerry Smith and the attempted murder of a neighbor who tried to save her life. According to witness testimony and Miller's confession to Orlando police, he had seen Smith wearing a lot of jewelry while tending to her yard. After an Easter Sunday that started with church services and a family brunch, Smith encountered Miller about 8 p.m. The two struck up a conversation, and she offered Miller water and invited him inside. There, they talked about Key West, and Smith was "as nice as she could be" while showing off her paintings, the judge quoted Miller as saying. But then the woman "sensed something was wrong" and opened the blinds of a window so people could see inside. Miller threw her onto the couch. She started screaming and fled out the back door. In an attempt to silence her screams, Miller stabbed her in the back, side and arm, causing a "very torturous, painful, fearful death," Perry said. Neighbor Larry Haydon, who heard the screams, was stabbed once by Miller when he tried to stop the attack. Perry sentenced Miller to a life sentence for that attempted murder, plus two more life sentences for burglary and attempted robbery with a deadly weapon.

    Miller was sentenced to death in Orange County on February 1, 2008.

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    February 1, 2008

    ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A convicted Orange County killer sat emotionless Friday as he was sentenced to death. An Orange County judge gave Lionel Miller the death penalty for killing 72-year-old Jerry Smith at her home in Delaney Park.

    There was no reaction from Miller on Friday morning and the victim's family left quickly without commenting after the judge read the sentence.

    "Lionel Miller, may God almighty have mercy on your soul," 9th Judicial Circuit Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. said Friday.

    At the Orange County courthouse Friday morning, Judge Perry sentenced Lionel Miller to death for the murder of 72-year-old Jerry Smith at her Delaney Park home on Easter Sunday 2006. It was a day Smith began peacefully at church before a neighborhood Easter egg hunt, but it ended violently after she invited Miller into her home for a cold glass of water.

    Judge Perry said Smith feared for her life.

    "Any person would have to fear that she or he would be next," Judge Perry said.

    In court, the family of Jerry Smith looked on as the judge said the career criminal, who has already spent 35 years of his life behind bars, sat motionless. The judge told Miller he targeted a vulnerable woman who was suffering from dementia and ended her life all in the selfish pursuit of her jewelry.

    Prosecuting attorney Robin Wilkinson said justice was served.

    "It's tragic all around, but it's very appropriate for this type of murder," Wilkinson said.

    Miller will now go to the Florida State Prison, where he'll be confined until the date of his execution. He has 30 days if he wants to appeal.

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    The Florida Supreme Court upheld Miller's death sentence on direct appeal on June 3, 2010.

    Opinion is here:

    http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/d...0/sc08-287.pdf

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    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    In today's US Supreme Court orders, Miller's petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis was denied.

    Order here

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    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    LIONEL MICHAEL MILLER vs STATE OF FLORIDA & LIONEL MICHAEL MILLER vs. JULIE S. JONES etc.

    In today's Florida Supreme Court opinions, the court AFFIRMED the circuit court's DENIAL of Miller's motion to vacate his first-degree murder conviction and sentence of death filed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. The court also DENIED Miller's 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 June 11, 2015, Miller filed a habeas petition in Federal District Court.

    https://dockets.justia.com/docket/fl...cv00950/311594

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    Senior Member CnCP Addict one_two_bomb's Avatar
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    Looks like hes been resentenced to life. probably decided not to retry the penalty phase due to his age.

    http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSe...&TypeSearch=AI

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mike's Avatar
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