Facts of the Crime:
On March 5, 1986, Jerry Wickham, accompanied by friends and family, was driving along Interstate-10 when he realized that they hardly had any money for gas or other expenses necessary to continue traveling. One member of the party suggested that they stop at a local church for help. Wickham and others decided, however, that they should commit a robbery to obtain the travel money instead of asking a church. Upon reaching Tallahassee, the group exited the interstate and began driving north along Thomasville Road towards the Florida-Georgia border. The group pulled off the highway, close to the border, at which time the men hid and the women and children flagged down a passing car under the guise of needing help.
When Morris “Rick” Fleming stopped to help and found nothing wrong with the car, Wickham jumped out of his hiding place, pointing a gun at Fleming. Seeing this, Fleming turned around and began walking back towards his vehicle. Wickham then shot Fleming in the back, the impact of which caused him to spin around and face Wickham directly. Wickham then shot Fleming in the chest once, at which time the victim began to beg for his life. Wickham then fatally shot Fleming twice in the head. The group took all the money he had, $4.05, and continued on to a nearby gas station where they purchased some gas. It was there that Wickham changed and threw away his bloodstained clothes. Wickham, while driving back towards Tallahassee, instructed the other members of his party to dispose of the used and unused bullet shells by throwing them out the window. The group continued towards Tampa, stopping along the way at a church to obtain more money for traveling expenses.
Wickham was sentenced to death in Leon County on December 8, 1988.
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