St. Lucie County
Mr. Hayward was convicted of the first-degree murder of Daniel Destefano, who was
fatally shot in 2005. The jury voted 8-4 to recommend the death penalty and the trial
court condemned Mr. Hayward. This Court upheld the death sentence on direct appeal
and Mr. Hayward filed a postconviction challenge in trial court. It was denied and this
appeal followed.