Polk County Mr. Bearden was convicted of the second-degree murder of Ryan Skipper, who was fatally stabbed in 2007. Mr. Bearden was sentenced to life in prison. On appeal he argued his trial judge erred by excluding testimony from a defense witness who would corroborate Mr. Bearden’s claim that he was not present at the murder. The Second District Court of Appeal upheld his conviction. Mr. Bearden argues in this appeal that the 2nd DCA decision conflicts with a decision by the First District Court of Appeal in a separate but similar case.