In March 1983, Peede traveled from North Carolina to Miami to see his estranged wife Darla Peede. Fearful of Peede, Darla gave her daughter detailed information to give police if she turned up missing. The daughter did so, and police arrested Peede in North Carolina. Darla's body was found near Camden, Georgia, and Peede confessed to stabbing her to death near Orlando. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. On appeal, his sentence was affirmed. He challenges the validity of the sentence.