Supreme Court of Florida

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No. SC12-1442

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CHARLES C. PETERSON,

Appellant,

vs.

STATE OF FLORIDA,

Appellee.

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No. SC13-47

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CHARLES C. PETERSON,

Petitioner,

vs.

MICHAEL D. CREWS, etc.,

Respondent.

[June 26, 2014]

PER CURIAM.

Charles C. Peterson appeals an order of the circuit court denying his motion 

to vacate his conviction of first-degree murder and sentence of death filed under 
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Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851 and petitions this Court for a writ of 

habeas corpus. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(1), (9), Fla. Const.

BACKGROUND

Trial

Peterson was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of John 

Cardoso. Peterson v. State, 2 So. 3d 146 (Fla. 2009). On direct appeal, we set 

forth the relevant factual and procedural background as follows:

Karen Smith testified that she worked as an assistant manager at a Big 

Lots in St. Petersburg, Florida, on the evening of December 24, 1997. 

She testified that while she and two other employees were in the 

store’s office after the store closed at 6 p.m., she heard a “ruckus.” 

She explained that when she opened the locked office door, she was 

immediately confronted by a man pointing a gun at her . . . . He wore 

a “nylon scarf” over his face and off-white latex gloves. Soto 

described the man as black, between five feet six inches and five feet 

eight inches tall, and noted that he wore latex gloves.

[Ms. Smith and Maria Soto] testified that the man escorted the 

three employees from the office through the employee break room 

into the stockroom. The man held the gun to Smith’s head as they 

walked. Smith testified that John Cardoso, another employee, was 

lying on the floor of the break room when they entered. Soto testified 

that the man forced her and the other employees to step over Cardoso

. . . . Smith testified that after collecting money from the office, the 

man moved everyone into the break room and made them lie on the 

floor near Cardoso’s body. The man then exited through the store’s 

back emergency exit, which he previously had Smith unlock. After 

the man left, Soto and [Wanda] Church got up to seek help.

Officer Richard L. McKee, of the City of St. Petersburg Police 

Department, testified that when he arrived at Big Lots at 

approximately 6:30 p.m. on December 24, 1997, he found a shooting 

victim lying face down in a break room and three other individuals 

who appeared to be in shock also lying face down in the room with 

their hands behind their heads.
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Id. at 148-49.

On July 27, 2005, the jury found Peterson guilty of first-degree 

murder by general verdict. The trial court conducted a one-day 

penalty phase during which the State and the defense presented 

evidence.

Id. at 151. 

On July 29, 2005, the jury recommended the death sentence by 

an eight-to-four vote. After conducting a hearing pursuant to Spencer 

v. State, 615 So. 2d 688 (Fla. 1993) . . . the trial court followed the 

jury’s recommendation and sentenced Peterson to death.

 

Id. at 152 (citation omitted). The trial court found and assigned weight to the 

following aggravation:

(1) Peterson was under a sentence of imprisonment at the time 

of the murder—life parole for three 1981 robberies (assigned great 

weight); (2) Peterson was previously convicted of a violent felony, 

based on thirteen convictions, resulting in a total of nine life sentences 

(assigned great weight); and (3) Peterson committed the murder 

during the commission of a robbery (assigned significant weight).

Id.

The trial court found the age statutory mitigating factor, despite 

Peterson’s age of thirty-eight at the time of the offense, based on 

expert testimony that he functioned at the emotional level of a 

fourteen-to sixteen-year-old. This factor was given little weight.

 

Id. 

The nonstatutory mitigating factors were: (1) Peterson had a 

low to normal IQ (assigned little weight); (2) Peterson had some 

limited mental impairment (assigned little weight); (3) Peterson had a 

good relationship with at least two family members (assigned some 

weight); (4) Peterson had a consistent work history (assigned some 
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weight); and (5) Peterson had an exemplary disciplinary record in jail 

and likely will behave properly when placed in prison (assigned little 

weight). 

Id.

Direct Appeal

On direct appeal, Peterson raised six issues:

(A) the trial court erred by admitting evidence of three collateral 

robberies; (B) death by lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual 

punishment; (C) his death sentence is disproportionate; (D) the trial 

court erred in denying defense counsel’s motion for a new penalty 

phase due to the presentation of evidence and argument that Peterson 

lacked remorse; (E) Florida’s capital sentencing process is 

unconstitutional pursuant to Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S. Ct. 

2428, 153 L. Ed. 2d 556 (2002); and (F) the penalty-phase jury 

instructions unconstitutionally shifted the burden of proof to the 

defendant.

Peterson, 2 So. 3d at 152-53. In addition, this Court reviewed the sufficiency of 

the evidence to support the conviction. Id. at 153. We affirmed Peterson’s 

conviction of first-degree murder and his death sentence. Id.

Postconviction Motion for Relief

On or about September 21, 2010, Peterson filed a postconviction motion in 

the circuit court, raising four claims: (1) trial counsel was ineffective for failing to 

strike five biased jurors either for cause or by exercising a peremptory challenge, 

thus violating Peterson’s rights under the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth 

Amendments to the United States Constitution and equivalent provisions of the 

Florida Constitution; (2) trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to 
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improper comments, arguments and other conduct of the State and request curative 

instructions and mistrial, and for failing to investigate exculpatory evidence, thus 

violating Peterson’s constitutional rights; (3) trial counsel was ineffective during 

the penalty phase for failing to object to or limit testimony and evidence, thus 

violating Peterson’s constitutional rights; and (4) the effect of cumulative errors 

denied Peterson his constitutional rights. After an evidentiary hearing on the three 

substantive claims of the four raised, held on December 12, 13, and 14, 2011, the 

postconviction court denied relief.

Peterson now appeals, claiming that the postconviction court erred by 

denying Peterson’s claim that his trial counsel was ineffective for: (1) failure to 

strike five biased jurors either for cause or by exercising peremptory challenges; 

(2) failure to object to improper comments, arguments and other conduct of the 

State and request curative instructions and mistrial, and for failing to investigate 

affirmative evidence of innocence; (3) failure to present available mitigation 

evidence during the penalty phase; and (4) by denying relief based on the 

cumulative effect of counsel’s errors. Peterson also petitions this Court for a writ 

of habeas corpus, claiming ineffective assistance of appellate counsel.

ANALYSIS
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Any claim that defense counsel provided ineffective assistance at trial must 

be analyzed under the standard articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 

668 (1984). See Carratelli v. State, 961 So. 2d 312, 321 (Fla. 2007). 

First, counsel’s performance must be shown to be deficient, meaning 

“counsel’s performance fell below the standard guaranteed by the Sixth 

Amendment.” McCoy v. State, 113 So. 3d 701, 707 (Fla. 2013). The defendant 

must point to “particular acts or omissions of the lawyer that are shown to be 

outside the broad range of reasonably competent performance under prevailing 

professional standards.” Bolin v. State, 41 So. 3d 151, 155 (Fla. 2010). 

“[S]trategic decisions do not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel if 

alternative courses have been considered and rejected and counsel’s decision was 

reasonable under the norms of professional conduct.” Burns v. State, 944 So. 2d 

234, 239 (Fla. 2006). “The defendant bears the burden to overcome the 

presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action might be 

considered sound trial strategy.” McCoy, 113 So. 3d at 707 (quoting Strickland, 

466 U.S. at 689). However, there is a strong presumption that counsel’s 

performance was not deficient, and great deference is given to counsel’s 

performance. Johnston v. State, 63 So. 3d 730, 737 (Fla. 2011). Moreover, 

counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to make a meritless argument. 

See Lukehart v. State, 70 So. 3d 503, 513 (Fla. 2011).
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Second, “the deficient performance must have prejudiced the defendant, 

ultimately depriving the defendant of a fair trial with a reliable result.” McCoy, 

113 So. 3d at 708. “[A] defendant need not show that counsel’s deficient conduct 

more likely than not altered the outcome in the case.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693. 

Rather, he “must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s 

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A 

reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the 

outcome.” Id. at 694; see also Bolin, 41 So. 3d at 155.

Additionally, both deficient performance and prejudice must be shown. 

McCoy, 113 So. 3d at 708. Therefore, “when a defendant fails to make a showing 

as to one element, it is not necessary to delve into whether he has made a showing 

as to the other element.” Thompson v. State, 796 So. 2d 511, 516 (Fla. 2001). 

“Because both prongs of the Strickland test present mixed questions of law and 

fact, this Court employs a mixed standard of review, deferring to the circuit court’s 

factual findings that are supported by competent, substantial evidence, but 

reviewing the circuit court’s legal conclusions de novo.” McCoy, 113 So. 3d at 

708.

Peterson initially raises four general issues, which are comprised of eighteen 

subclaims. Because we find that the following claims are without merit, we affirm 

the postconviction court’s denial of these claims without further discussion: (1) 
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II.A (failure to object during voir dire); (2) II.B (failure to file motion in limine and 

object during State’s case-in-chief); (3) II.C.1 (State’s mischaracterization of 

evidence during closing arguments); (4) II.C.2 (inadequately cross-examining

M.P., witness of the Hillsborough County Family Dollar collateral crimes); (5) 

II.C.3 (failure to impeach Detective Jerry Herren); (6) II.C.4 (failure to make an 

opening statement); (7) II.C.5 (failure to address State’s failure to prove collateral 

crimes beyond a reasonable doubt); (8) II.D (failure to challenge Williams rule 

evidence based on Apprendi); (9) II.E (inadequate handling of sexual battery 

evidence from Family Dollar collateral case); (10) II.F (failure to object to and 

challenge fingerprint evidence); (11) II.H (admission of Williams rule evidence 

violated Peterson’s rights to due process, confrontation, and effective assistance of 

counsel); (12) III.A (failure to object to State’s use of Williams rule cases as 

aggravation); (13) III.B (failure to object to State arguing facts not in evidence); 

(14) III.C (presenting only two lay witnesses as mitigation); and (15) III.D (failure 

to rely on Peterson’s intellectual impairment and failing to mitigate State’s 

branding of Peterson with antisocial personality stigma). See Lukehart, 70 So. 3d 

at 513; see also Schoenwetter v. State, 46 So. 3d 535, 546 (Fla. 2010) (“Where this 

Court has previously rejected a substantive claim on the merits, counsel cannot be 

deemed ineffective for failing to make a meritless argument.”).

We now turn to the discussion of Peterson’s remaining claims.
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A. Biased Jurors

1. Failure to Challenge Jurors for Cause

Peterson first claims that trial counsel should have challenged jurors 

Aundrea Johnson, Marilyn Breen, Thomas Walbolt, Necole Tunsil, and Christine 

Salgado for cause on grounds of juror incompetency. “[W]here a postconviction 

motion alleges that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise or preserve a 

cause challenge, the defendant must demonstrate that a juror was actually biased.” 

Carratelli, 961 So. 2d at 324. The actual bias standard requires a showing that the 

questionable juror was not impartial, that is, “was biased against the defendant, and 

the evidence of bias must be plain on the face of the record.” Id. (citing Patton v. 

Yount, 467 U.S. 1025, 1038-40 (1984)). In other words, the test for juror 

competency is whether a juror “can lay aside any bias or prejudice and render [his 

or her] verdict solely upon the evidence presented and the instructions on the law 

given to [him or her] by the court.” Id. (quoting Lusk v. State, 446 So. 2d 1038, 

1041 (Fla. 1984)). 

For each of the challenged jurors, Peterson has failed to allege actual bias. 

See id. Furthermore, our review of the record does not uncover any indication that 

a biased juror sat on Peterson’s jury. Because Peterson has not demonstrated 

actual bias, the postconviction court properly denied this claim. See Thompson, 

796 So. 2d at 516 (requiring both prongs under Strickland be established in order 
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to prevail on ineffective assistance of counsel claim); Smithers v. State, 18 So. 3d 

460, 464 (Fla. 2009) (requiring showing of actual bias in order to establish 

prejudice prong); see also McCoy, 113 So. 3d at 708 (“Further, a court evaluating a 

claim of ineffectiveness is not required to issue a specific ruling on the 

performance component of the test when it is evident that the prejudice component 

is not satisfied.”).

2. Failure to Effectively Use Peremptory Challenges

Peterson also claims that the postconviction court erred in denying his 

ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on trial counsel’s failure to strike 

biased jurors during jury selection. Regarding Peterson’s specific argument that 

trial counsel should have exercised peremptory challenges to strike jurors Johnson, 

Breen, Walbolt, Tunsil, and Salgado, “[e]ffective assistance of trial counsel 

includes a proficient attempt to empanel a competent and impartial jury through

the proper utilization of voir dire, challenges to venire members for cause, and the 

proper employment of peremptory challenges to venire members.” Nelson v. 

State, 73 So. 3d 77, 85 (Fla. 2011).

The postconviction court found that trial counsel, an experienced defense 

attorney, made thoughtful inquiries to reach an intelligent decision in selecting the 

jury. This finding is supported by competent, substantial evidence. During the 

postconviction evidentiary hearing, Richard Watts, trial counsel for Peterson,
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testified that it is most important to him in death-eligible cases to focus on the 

sentencing recommendation. He acknowledged that he has sometimes, including 

in the instant case, had to select jurors that were not favorable to the defense in the 

guilt phase, but were favorable in the penalty phase. Furthermore, Attorney Watts 

testified that in his experience of selecting nearly eighty jurors in death-eligible 

cases, he has never achieved seating a “perfect jury”; the same was true for the 

instant case.

Trial counsel attempted to empanel a competent and impartial jury that 

would have been favorable to the defense in the penalty phase. See id. This Court 

has recognized such a strategy as a reasonable one. See Dillbeck v. State, 964 So. 

2d 95, 102-03 (Fla. 2007) (finding trial counsel adopted a reasonable trial strategy 

of avoiding a death sentence by attempting to seat jurors likely to recommend a life 

sentence); see also Burns, 944 So. 2d at 239. Peterson does not point to any 

particular venire member that would have been better qualified to serve in place of 

a seated juror. See Johnson v. State, 903 So. 2d 888, 896 (Fla. 2005) (rejecting 

appellant’s argument that trial counsel could have used peremptory challenges in a 

different manner to obtain a more defense-friendly jury; “[s]uch speculation fails to 

rise to the level of ineffective assistance under Strickland . . . .”). Moreover, the 

record shows that Peterson heavily participated in selecting the jury panel and 

discussed with defense counsel his desires to retain certain jurors, which further 
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undermines Peterson’s claim of ineffective assistance as to counsel’s exercise of 

his peremptory challenges. See Gamble v. State, 877 So. 2d 706, 714 (Fla. 2004)

(“[I]f the defendant consents to counsel’s strategy, there is no merit to a claim of 

ineffective assistance of counsel.”).

On balance, Peterson has failed to demonstrate that counsel acted beyond the 

broad range of reasonably competent performance under prevailing professional 

standards. And, as discussed above, Peterson cannot demonstrate prejudice 

because no biased juror sat on his jury. See Phillips v. State, 894 So. 2d 28, 36 

(Fla. 2004) (rejecting claim of ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to 

exercise two remaining peremptory challenges because defendant failed to 

demonstrate that his resentencing counsel’s performance was deficient during voir 

dire and that such deficiency created a jury that was not impartial). Accordingly, 

we affirm the postconviction court’s denial of relief with respect to this claim.

B. Failure to Challenge In- and Out-of-Court Identifications

Peterson argues that trial counsel was ineffective for not filing a pretrial 

motion to suppress various in- and out-of-court identifications of Peterson on the 

ground that the identifications were made in violation of Peterson’s due process 

rights. Peterson also claims ineffective assistance in that counsel should have 

elicited testimony from an eyewitness identification expert to discuss the factors 
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that potentially affected the accuracy of the witnesses’ identifications in the instant 

case as well as the Williams rule cases.

Regarding counsel’s failure to consult an eyewitness identification expert,

Peterson has not demonstrated that counsel’s failure to consult with such an expert 

in eyewitness identification was deficient. Peterson was identified by three 

different individuals who were at the scene of the crime on the night of the murder 

and were able to identify Peterson, including witnesses who identified Peterson 

before the robbery. The postconviction court explained that the witnesses’

in-court identifications were bolstered in the instant case by the photopack identification of Peterson by another black male, Mr. Davis, who 

placed Peterson in the store just prior to the robbery; by Maria Soto 

who identified Peterson in court, both by facial features and by 

clothing as being the robber and as a person who had been in the store 

just prior to the robbery; and by Karen Smith’s photo-pack 

identification of Peterson after the crime and in court.

As also found by the postconviction court, each of the Williams rule collateral 

crime cases introduced into evidence supports the witnesses’ identifications. These 

three collateral cases, which each involved a signature modus operandi, were based 

on a combination of DNA, shoeprint and fingerprint evidence, videotape 

surveillance, and Peterson’s possession of the stolen goods.

Further, it is well-established that trial counsel cannot be ineffective for 

failing to present cumulative evidence. See Duckett v. State, 918 So. 2d 224, 236 

(Fla. 2005); Marquard v. State, 850 So. 2d 417, 429-30 (Fla. 2002); Patton v. State, 
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784 So. 2d 380, 393 (Fla. 2000). This rule is consistent with the Florida Evidence 

Code, which allows for the exclusion of cumulative evidence. See § 90.403, Fla. 

Stat. (2013). “Cumulative evidence” calls for a mere “repetition of testimony.” 

See Gracy v. Atl. Coast Line R.R. Co., 42 So. 903, 906 (Fla. 1907).

The record shows that Attorney Watts familiarized himself with Dr. 

Brigham’s area of expertise by reading eyewitness identification literature authored 

by Dr. Elizabeth Loftus and others. This, in conjunction with Attorney Watts’ trial 

experience, training and attendance at related seminars, taught him the various 

areas in eyewitness identification testimony that are ripe for attack as well as the 

tactics to employ in attacking those areas. Further, there is competent, substantial 

evidence to support the postconviction court’s findings that trial counsel 

effectively cross-examined each Big Lots witness regarding these points of attack, 

including their ability to see the perpetrator, their level of stress, the fact that a gun 

was in close proximity to their faces, and the passage of time. Moreover, the 

record shows that counsel reiterated this information at various points throughout 

closing arguments. Dr. Brigham’s testimony, therefore, would have been 

repetitive, that is, cumulative, of the eyewitness identification evidence elicited by

trial counsel. See Duckett, 918 So. 2d at 236; Marquard, 850 So. 2d at 429-30; 

Patton, 784 So. 2d at 393; see also Owen v. State, 986 So. 2d 534, 546 (Fla. 2008). 
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Accordingly, while it may have been useful to have consulted with an 

eyewitness identification expert, the failure is not deficient given all the 

circumstances of this case. Simply put, this is not the type of case in which there 

was a substantial likelihood of misidentification such that the failure to consult 

with an expert in eyewitness identification is deficient or where such testimony, if 

introduced, would have resulted in a reasonable probability of a different result,

that is, one that undermines confidence in the outcome. Therefore, neither 

deficiency nor prejudice can be established.

As to Peterson’s contention that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to 

file a motion to suppress the various identifications, this Court has recognized that 

counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to file a pretrial motion to 

suppress identifications where the decision not to file a motion was a strategic one. 

Maharaj v. State, 778 So. 2d 944, 959 (Fla. 2000). In addition, we do not secondguess counsel’s reasonable trial decisions. See Jones v State, 845 So. 2d 55, 65 

(Fla. 2003). According to the record, the defense team strategized not to attack the 

eyewitness identifications in the collateral Williams rule cases, given that physical 

evidence existed which connected Peterson to those identifications. Rather, the 

defense strategized to attack the eyewitness identifications in the instant case 

because there was no physical evidence associated with Peterson. For instance, the 

trial transcript shows that counsel elicited cross-examination testimony from Big 
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Lots witness Karen Smith tending to show that her photo identification of the Big 

Lots perpetrator may have been tainted by a newsflash picture designated to be 

Peterson that she saw shortly after the robbery. Further, Attorney Watts testified 

that the focus was to attack the identifications in front of the jury so the jurors

could perceive for themselves that the alleged identifications of Peterson were 

tainted. On review, it appears that trial counsel employed a reasonable trial 

strategy, given counsel’s efforts to weaken the identifications in the instant case for 

which Peterson was actually charged. Therefore, because Peterson has failed to 

demonstrate ineffective assistance, we affirm the postconviction court’s denial of 

this claim. See Maharaj, 778 So. 2d at 959.

1

HABEAS PETITION

In his petition for a writ of habeas corpus, Peterson alleges that appellate 

counsel was ineffective for erroneously conceding guilt of the three Williams rule 

cases, which prejudicially led to the denial of relief in this case. Consistent with 

the Strickland standard, to grant habeas relief for ineffective assistance of appellate 

counsel, this Court follows a two-prong test:

 

1. We also deny Peterson’s claim that due to the cumulative effect of errors 

that occurred during the guilt and penalty phases, he is entitled to relief. Because 

Peterson has not demonstrated that he is entitled to relief on any of the claims he 

has raised, his cumulative effect claim is meritless. See Brown v. State, 846 So. 2d 

1114, 1126 (Fla. 2003) (“Each of Brown’s claims is insufficient under Strickland, 

and because this is the case, the claim for cumulative error fails as well.”).
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[F]irst, whether the alleged omissions are of such magnitude as to 

constitute a serious error or substantial deficiency falling measurably 

outside the range of professionally acceptable performance and, 

second, whether the deficiency in performance compromised the 

appellate process to such a degree as to undermine confidence in the 

correctness of the result.

Schoenwetter, 46 So. 3d at 563. The defendant bears the burden of “alleging a 

specific, serious omission or overt act upon which the claim of ineffective 

assistance of counsel can be based. Id. (quoting Freeman v. State, 761 So. 2d 

1055, 1069 (Fla. 2000)).

Our opinion in Peterson reflects that appellate counsel informed this Court 

that Peterson was “either convicted or pled guilty to each collateral robbery,” 

including the Family Dollar, McCrory’s, and Phar-Mor cases. See Peterson, 2 So. 

3d at 153. However, the record indicates that Peterson was only charged and 

convicted in the Family Dollar case. Therefore, we find that appellate counsel was 

deficient for providing incorrect information to the Court. See Fla. Bar R. 4-3.3(a)

(no lawyer shall knowingly make a false statement of fact or law to a tribunal). 

Nonetheless, we find that Peterson failed to demonstrate the second prong under 

Schoenwetter. Based on the record, the trial court found that there was clear and 

convincing evidence that Peterson was the perpetrator in the three collateral cases. 

Because we based our decision in Peterson to affirm Peterson’s conviction on 

substantially identical factual findings, he cannot show that appellate counsel’s 

misstatement “compromised the appellate process to such a degree as to undermine 
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confidence in the correctness of the result.” See Schoenwetter, 46 So. 3d at 563. 

Accordingly, we deny Peterson’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing analysis, we affirm the postconviction court’s denial 

of relief. We also deny Peterson’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

It is so ordered.

POLSTON, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, LABARGA, and PERRY, 

JJ., concur.

PARIENTE, J., concurs with an opinion in which QUINCE, J., concurs. 

CANADY, J., concurs in result.

NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND 

IF FILED, DETERMINED.

PARIENTE, J., concurring.

I concur in the majority opinion affirming the postconviction court’s denial 

of relief and denying Peterson’s habeas corpus petition, and agree that counsel’s 

failure to utilize an eyewitness identification expert in this case did not constitute

ineffective assistance of counsel. However, because I am concerned that our prior 

jurisprudence has left the impression that testimony of an eyewitness identification 

expert is generally inadmissible, I write separately to explain why such testimony 

should be generally admissible to assist the jury in determining the reliability of 

eyewitness identifications, especially in cases resting substantially or entirely on 

eyewitness testimony. 
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Specifically, I would adopt the rationale of the Supreme Court of 

Connecticut in State v. Guilbert, 49 A.3d 705, 720 (Conn. 2012), and conclude that 

this Court’s precedent, which suggests that factors affecting eyewitness testimony 

are within the common experience of jurors, is “out of step with the widespread 

judicial recognition that eyewitness identifications are potentially unreliable in a 

variety of ways unknown to the average juror.” Indeed, as noted in Guilbert, the 

widely accepted scientific research available today “convincingly demonstrates the 

fallibility of eyewitness identification testimony and pinpoints an array of variables 

that are most likely to lead to a mistaken identification.” Id. at 721. Accordingly, 

in cases involving eyewitness testimony, I encourage trial courts to truly exercise 

their discretion in determining whether to admit expert testimony on eyewitness 

identifications, which oftentimes has the potential to aid the jury in evaluating this 

extremely weighty evidence. 

Among multiple claims and subclaims of guilt-phase ineffectiveness, 

Peterson claimed that his lawyer was ineffective in dealing with the eyewitness 

identification evidence presented to the jury. Although I agree with the majority 

that the defense attorney’s failure to consult with an eyewitness identification 

expert did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel in this case, I remain 

concerned that this Court’s prior precedent may erroneously lead some 

practitioners and judges to the conclusion that this type of expert testimony is per 
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se inadmissible. In actuality, the admissibility of expert testimony regarding the 

reliability of eyewitness identifications is properly determined on a case-by-case 

basis depending on the specific factual circumstances of the case. See Johnson v. 

State, 438 So. 2d 774, 777 (Fla. 1983) (adopting an abuse of discretion standard for 

determining whether the trial court erred in excluding expert testimony on 

eyewitness identification). Moreover, although trial counsel’s failure to consult 

with an expert in eyewitness identification was not deficient in this case, it is 

simply against the weight of scientific authority and the recent decisions of courts 

throughout the country that have addressed this issue to conclude that jurors never 

require “special knowledge or experience” to determine the reliability of 

eyewitness identification. Id.

As the Supreme Court of New Jersey recognized in State v. Delgado, 902 

A.2d 888, 895 (N.J. 2006), “[m]isidentification is widely recognized as the single 

greatest cause of wrongful convictions in this country.” For that reason, the 

Innocence Commission appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to analyze the 

causes of wrongful convictions chose eyewitness misidentification as its first area 

of study. Florida Innocence Commission, Final Report to the Supreme Court of 

Florida 18 (2012). Indeed, citing analysis undertaken by the Innocence Project, the 

Florida Innocence Commission noted that eyewitness misidentification has played 
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a role in more than seventy-five percent of convictions that were subsequently 

overturned through DNA testing. Id.

Thirty-one years ago, prior to the scientific studies available today pointing 

out the flaws in eyewitness testimony, I can understand how this Court might have 

concluded that “a jury is fully capable of assessing a witness’ ability to perceive 

and remember . . . without the aid of expert testimony.” Johnson, 438 So. 2d at 

777. However, even in reaching this conclusion, rather than electing a per se rule 

of exclusion, this Court adopted an abuse of discretion standard. Id. 

Unfortunately, though, this Court offered no real guidance as to how a trial 

court should determine the admissibility of an eyewitness identification expert and 

even indicated that there was no reason to admit such testimony, stating as follows:

A trial court has wide discretion concerning the admissibility of 

evidence and the range of subjects about which an expert can testify. 

Expert testimony should be excluded when the facts testified to are of 

such nature as not to require any special knowledge or experience in 

order for the jury to form its conclusions. We hold that a jury is fully 

capable of assessing a witness’ ability to perceive and remember, 

given the assistance of cross-examination and cautionary instructions, 

without the aid of expert testimony.

Id. (citations omitted). As I have previously explained, “[i]n so holding, we 

signaled to trial judges that expert testimony in this area is unnecessary because the 

assessment of eyewitness identification is within the common experience of 

jurors.” Simmons v. State, 934 So. 2d 1100, 1123-24 (Fla. 2006) (Pariente, C.J., 

specially concurring). However, subsequent research in the area of eyewitness 
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identification has clearly demonstrated that the reliability of eyewitness 

identification testimony is subject to a multitude of factors, the effects of which are 

often not within the realm of an average juror’s general knowledge. 

The powerful impact that eyewitness identification evidence has on jurors 

cannot be overstated. That such testimony has the potential to sway a jury towards 

a conviction provides even more reason for this Court to take note of subsequent 

studies on the issue of eyewitness identification that have undermined this Court’s 

conclusion in Johnson that expert testimony is unnecessary for a jury to assess 

eyewitness identification evidence. As I have previously noted:

For example, common sense would lead us to believe that greater 

certainty by an eyewitness in making an identification corresponds to 

greater accuracy. Yet research shows that a witness’s degree of 

certainty correlates weakly, at best, with the accuracy of the 

identification. See Elizabeth Loftus & James Doyle, Eyewitness 

Testimony: Civil and Criminal § 3–12, at 67 (3d ed. 1997) (“The 

consensus of the literature that deals with [whether eyewitness 

confidence is an indication of eyewitness accuracy] seems to indicate 

that eyewitness confidence is not a very good indicator of eyewitness 

accuracy.”). In fact, the “certainty an eyewitness expresses in his 

identification can be a misleading indicator of the identification’s 

accuracy.” Gary L. Wells, Eyewitness Identifications: Scientific 

Status, in Science In the Law: Social and Behavioral Science Issues

391, 412 (David L. Faigman et al. eds., 2002). Other features of 

eyewitness unreliability, such as difficulty identifying persons of 

another race, have also become well established. See Loftus & Doyle, 

supra, § 4–9, at 86; Wells, supra, at 404.

Simmons, 934 So. 2d at 1124 (Pariente, C.J., specially concurring). 
- 23 -

Since our decision in Simmons, courts throughout the country have 

continued to take notice of the growing body of scientific research on eyewitness 

identifications and have repeatedly recognized that expert testimony on eyewitness 

identification provides jurors with information that is beyond an average juror’s 

general knowledge. For example, only three years after this Court’s decision in 

Simmons, the Supreme Court of Utah, in concluding that a trial court had abused 

its discretion by excluding expert witness testimony, held that “the testimony of a 

qualified expert regarding factors that have been shown to contribute to inaccurate 

eyewitness identifications should be admitted whenever it meets the requirements 

of [the Utah rules of evidence].” State v. Clopten, 223 P.3d 1103, 1112 (Utah 

2009). Further, the Supreme Court of Utah went on to explain that it expected its 

decision in Clopten to “result in the liberal and routine admission of eyewitness 

expert testimony.” Id. 

The Supreme Court of Connecticut reached a similar conclusion in Guilbert, 

noting that while the court had previously concluded that expert testimony on 

eyewitness identification was inadmissible because “the reliability of eyewitness 

identification is within the knowledge of jurors,” State v. Kemp, 507 A.2d 1387, 

1389 (Conn. 1986), its prior decisions on the issue were “out of step with the 

widespread judicial recognition that eyewitness identifications are potentially 

unreliable in a variety of ways unknown to the average juror.” Guilbert, 49 A.3d at 
- 24 -

720. Relying on “extensive and comprehensive research, as reflected in hundreds 

of peer reviewed studies and meta-analyses,” the Supreme Court of Connecticut 

explained that scientific evidence “convincingly demonstrates the fallibility of 

eyewitness identification testimony and pinpoints an array of variables that are 

most likely to lead to a mistaken identification.” Id. at 721. Thus, the Supreme 

Court of Connecticut concluded that “[m]any of the factors affecting the reliability 

of eyewitness identifications are either unknown to the average juror or contrary to 

common assumptions, and expert testimony is an effective way to educate jurors 

about the risks of misidentification.” Id. at 731.

Citing the Supreme Court of Connecticut’s decision in Guilbert, the 

Supreme Court of Oregon stated that “courts around the country have recognized 

that traditional methods of informing factfinders of the pitfalls of eyewitness 

identification—cross-examination, closing argument, and generalized jury 

instructions—frequently are not adequate to inform factfinders of the factors 

affecting the reliability of such identifications.” State v. Lawson, 291 P.3d 673, 

695 (Or. 2012) (citing Guilbert, 49 A.3d at 705). In light of this conclusion, the 

Supreme Court of Oregon explained that “the use of experts may prove vital to 

ensuring that the law keeps pace with advances in scientific knowledge, thus 

enabling judges and jurors to evaluate eyewitness identification testimony 

according to relevant and meaningful criteria.” Id. at 696. 
- 25 -

These decisions represent the modern trend among courts that have 

addressed the admissibility of expert testimony on eyewitness identification. As 

noted by the Supreme Court of Connecticut, there is now a “widespread judicial 

recognition that eyewitness identifications are potentially unreliable in a variety of 

ways unknown to the average juror.” Guilbert, 49 A.3d at 720. By bringing to 

light research findings on factors that affect an eyewitness identification, which 

would otherwise be beyond a juror’s general knowledge, expert testimony within 

this area can assist the trier of fact in correctly determining a defendant’s guilt.

Given the widespread judicial acceptance of the fact that the reliability of 

eyewitness testimony is subject to factors beyond the common knowledge of 

jurors, I once again encourage trial courts to “truly exercise their discretion as to 

the admission of this testimony.” Simmons, 934 So. 2d at 1126 (Pariente, C.J., 

specially concurring). As the burgeoning body of scientific research indicates and 

courts across the country increasingly recognize, expert witness testimony on the 

reliability of eyewitness identifications can be a “powerful tool in helping the 

criminal justice system achieve its goal of convicting the guilty while acquitting 

the innocent.” Id. It is my hope that when this Court is squarely faced with the 

issue in a direct appeal case, we will seize the opportunity to recede from Johnson, 

join the modern trend, and hold that eyewitness identification expert testimony 
- 26 -

should be generally admissible, especially in cases resting substantially or entirely 

on eyewitness testimony, as long as the other predicates for admissibility are met. 

QUINCE, J., concurs.

Two Cases:

An Appeal from the Circuit Court in and for Pinellas County, 

Linda Ruth Allan, Judge - Case No. CRC00-05107CFANO

And an Original Proceeding – Habeas Corpus

David Dixon Hendry, Assistant CCRC, Capital Collateral Regional CounselMiddle Region, Tampa, Florida, 

for Appellant/Petitioner

Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, Tallahassee, Florida and Katherine Vickers 

Blanco, Assistant Attorney General, Tampa, Florida, 

for Appellee/Respondent