Highlands County

Mr. Altersberger pled guilty to the first-degree murder of Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Sottile, who was fatally shot in 2007. After the penalty phase, the jury voted 9- 3 to recommend a death sentence and the trial court condemned Mr. Altersberger to death. This Court upheld the sentence on direct appeal. Mr. Altersberger filed a postconviction challenge in trial court and it was denied. This appeal followed.