Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Melvin Trotter v. State of Florida

no. 03-735 | 03-1967

Manatee County

Trotter was convicted of fatally stabbing 70-year-old Virgie E. Langford in her store in Palmetto in 1986. He was condemned but the Supreme Court overturned his sentence. In his second penalty hearing, the jury voted 11-1 to recommend death and he was condemned again. The Supreme Court upheld the second sentence, and the circuit court denied his motion for postconviction relief. In this appeal, Trotter argues he is mentally retarded and thus shielded from the death penalty.