Kearse was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death in the slaying and robbery of Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish on Jan. 18, 1991, after being stopped for a traffic violation. In 1995 the Supreme Court returned the case to the trial court to correct errors in the sentencing proceedings. The sentencing phase jury recommended the death penalty 12-to-0 and the judge agreed. This is Kearse's direct appeal.