Thursday, March 9th, 2006
Merrit Alonzo Sims v. State of Florida

SC04-1879

Miami-Dade County

Mr. Sims was convicted of the murder of Miami Springs police officer Charles Stafford in 1991. The jury vote 8-4 to recommend a death sentence, and the judge sentenced Sims to death.. His sentence and conviction were upheld by this Court on appeal, and the trial court denied his first motion for postconviction relief. Sims now appeals that denial. His appeal raises several issues concerning the quality of legal representation he received at trial.