Officer Scott Winters
Summary of Offense:
On July 29, 1990, Thelma Johnson reported that Albert Holland approached her and asked her if she had a hitter (a device used to smoke cocaine). Johnson stated that she did not, but proceeded to lead Holland to a wooded area with the intention of smoking cocaine together. Holland then smoked the first half of his cocaine rock off of a beer can, but Johnson refrained because she did not like that method of smoking. After smoking the second half of the rock, Holland became violent. Holland shoved Johnson to the ground, held her down, and hit her on the side of the head with a bottle while she begged him not to kill her. As Holland beat her, he repeatedly threatened to kill her. Holland ripped Johnson’s shirt and unzipped his pants. Holland forced Johnson to give him oral sex. When Johnson protested and stopped, Holland beat her until she was unconscious. Holland stopped beating Johnson and left the scene when a witness yelled for Holland to stop before he killed her. Johnson had a severed ear, a fractured skull, and multiple cuts on her face, which required extensive plastic surgery. Police officers responded to a call regarding the attack and began the search for the perpetrator.
Officer Scott Winters was in his patrol car when he asked Holland to approach the vehicle. Officer Winters exited the patrol car and instructed Holland to put his hands on the car. Holland complied with the request. As Winters reached down to use the radio on his belt, Holland turned and took a swing aimed at Winters’ head. A struggle ensued and Winters got Holland in a headlock. Winters repeatedly tried to put Holland on the ground by using his nightstick, but Holland rose and turned, causing the combatants to face each other. Holland managed to take Winters’ gun and shot the officer twice before he fled the scene. Police officers stated that Winters requested backup at 7:25 p.m. and reported being shot at 7:26 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, Winters’ gun was missing. Winters died at 8:30 p.m. as a result of gunshot wounds to the lower stomach and groin area.
Holland was first sentenced to death in 1991 in Broward County and eventually resentenced on February 7, 1997.
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