Opinion ID: 75958
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defense's Mitigation Evidence

Text: 36 After the State rested, Robinson's counsel presented Dr. Harry Krop, a clinical psychologist familiar with Robinson's background. Krop met with Robinson during March 1986, before the initial sentencing, and again on December 9, 1988, before the resentencing. During those meetings, Robinson and Krop discussed Robinson's past history. Krop did not administer standard psychological tests because [Robinson's] history was particularly noteworthy in terms of his own self-report and there were some other documented aspects of his history already in the records that I reviewed. Krop further explained, [P]sychological tests are used to primarily assist in diagnosis, and ... based on the six hours that I spent with him, I felt comfortable and confident rendering a diagnosis without the use of a psychological test. 37 A large portion of what Krop learned came from Robinson himself, but Krop also spoke to some people that knew Mr. Robinson, despite the fact that [i]t was not easy to get a hold of family members in this case ... because of the nature of his background. Specifically, Krop spoke with (1) Robinson's biological father, the Rev. J.B. Robinson, (2) Coreen Smith, a woman whom indicated ... she was quite familiar with Mr. Robinson, at least as a youngster, because he spent a lot of time at her house, (3) Earl Smith, [t]he boy that Mr. Robinson spent some time with, ... [t]hat was Coreen's son, and I was able to speak with him as well whenever I called Ms. Coreen Smith, and (4) a sheriff's officer who knew Robinson from prison. Krop also reviewed (1) a number of records from prior testimony and prior hearings, (2) Robinson's counsel's entire file, (3) a presentence investigation, and (4) Robinson's Department of Corrections records. 38 Krop testified that the persons with whom he spoke, and the materials that he had reviewed, corroborated portions of what he and Robinson had discussed. Given its private nature, Krop explained that certain information could not be corroborated. Krop also clarified that (1) the people who might know about some of these aspects of Mr. Robinson's background would most likely not be willing to share that information since it's not particular [sic] positive in terms of these other people, and (2) the person who probably knows the most about Mr. Robinson, that is the man who raised him, at least for part of his life, is no longer living. So, I wasn't able to obtain any information from that source. 39 Having testified in many capital cases, Krop indicated his familiarity with both the statutory and nonstatutory mitigating circumstances a jury is entitled to consider under Florida law. 8 Krop did not believe there were any statutory mitigating circumstances in Robinson's case. 9 Krop, however, testified at length about Robinson's background and what he summarized as seven nonstatutory mitigating circumstances: (1) emotional deprivation; (2) physical abuse; (3) sexual abuse; (4) incarceration in an adult prison as a child; (5) psychosexual disorder; (6) intoxication at the time of the offenses; and (7) ability to function in prison without being a management problem. 10 40 As to emotional deprivation, Krop explained that Robinson never knew his mother and he was never really communicated with about his mother. Instead, Robinson was raised by his grandfather and grandmother, and then step-grandmother. This was corroborated by Reverend Robinson[,] the biological father, who ... never told Mr. Robinson that the people who raised him were really not his natural parents. Krop considered Robinson to have emotional deprivation, and believed that when one grows up essentially without a mother and without getting love and affection, that would be a contributing factor; all again contributing to later personality development. 41 While growing up, Robinson was subject to considerable physical abuse, as well as emotional abuse. Robinson's grandfather used a black leather belt and [t]here were instances in which Mr. Robinson had his hands tied together and a switch was used on him. Additionally, the grandfather or the grandmother would use a broom handle and have Mr. Robinson squat, put the broom handle between his legs and have to basically sit in a squatting position. In that squatting position, Robinson was sometimes physically hit. Coreen Smith indicated to Krop that Robinson would often come over to her son's house, her house, and stay there for periods of time complaining that his [grand]father had hit him, complaining about the abuse. Smith also saw the bruises on a number of occasions, and told Krop that Robinson would try and avoid going back home. 42 Robinson was also sexually abused. When 7 years old, Robinson was sexually abused by an uncle, but he did not want to tell anybody about it because he didn't want to be seen as queer. Robinson also thought that if he told his father about the sexual abuse, that would lead to further physical abuse. When Robinson was 11 years old, his grandfather (in his 60's) married a 15 year-old-girl, and that girl also sexually abused Robinson on a number of occasions. Legally, she was his grandmother, but he perceived her as his stepmother, since the grandfather was ... in the role of the father. Robinson had extreme difficulty in disclosing to Krop this sexual abuse. A few months after his grandfather's new wife moved in, at the age of 11 or 12 Robinson ran away and started living on the streets. Robinson lived at various migrant labor camps at the age of 12 to 13 or 14 ... during which time he again reports that he was sexually abused on a number of occasions by these individuals. 43 During this time period, Robinson also began getting into legal trouble. Robinson once told the authorities he was 18 years old because he did not want to be sent back home. According to Krop, Robinson has always been a fairly large individual. Apparently there was no way that they checked and he was ultimately incarcerated in an adult prison situation at the age of 13. 11 Robinson, having left school in the sixth grade, finished his education in the prison system, where he obtained a GED and about 30 college credits. 44 Krop also offered the following diagnosis: while there is no major form of mental illness, Robinson has an antisocial personality disorder 12 and a psychosexual disorder. 13 Krop further testified about Robinson's drinking and drug habits. Robinson had not used drugs throughout his life and did not consider himself an alcoholic. However, Robinson did admit to Krop that he had been drinking on the day and evening of the murder. Robinson told Krop that he started drinking around 4 p.m., when he had a pint of Crown Royal. Robinson reported having anywhere from two, three or four cups ... of liquor at a party, but he was not sure totally sure as to the amount. Robinson also drank maybe two or three six-packs of beer, and ... drank another pint of Crown Royal during the night. Krop acknowledged that he had no independent data on exactly how much Robinson had been drinking on the day and evening of the murder. 45 The final factor to which Krop testified on direct was how Robinson functions in prison. Robinson reported to Krop that he functions better and has ... been more productive in prison situations than he has in the community. In prison, Robinson obtained his GED and has been involved in some tutoring. Robinson's probation officer told Krop that Robinson does well ... [and] is not a management problem. Krop's review of Robinson's prison records confirmed that he had no disciplinary reports. 46 During cross-examination, the State questioned Krop about whether Robinson's self-reported history was corroborated by the other people with whom Krop spoke. Krop admitted that he spoke with those individuals only on the night before resentencing. Krop acknowledged that, while Coreen and Ernest Smith had not directly observed the physical abuse of Robinson, both had seen bruises on Robinson on several occasions. Krop agreed that his testimony about Robinson's sexual abuse and emotional deprivation was based almost entirely on Robinson's self-reports, but Krop added that the PSI's and various other records ... certainly indicated that he did not have a natural mother in a household in which he grew up. As to the sexual abuse, Krop stated that any report of sexual abuse is generally from the person, himself or herself. Krop added that Robinson was very reluctant to have me or counsel contact his family members[,] ... indicating that he did not want them to be involved and he did not feel that they were particularly relevant. According to Krop, [i]t was only by persuasion of both Mr. Pearl [Robinson's counsel] and myself that he gave us at least two names of people we contacted. 47 The State also questioned why Krop considered the following factors mitigating: (1) long-time incarceration, (2) intoxication at the time of the offenses, and (3) ability to function well in jail. The State characterized these factors as self-induced type factors not properly considered in mitigation. As to intoxication, Krop acknowledged that Robinson's report was somewhat different during his second interview in that it indicated Robinson had drank more (and started drinking earlier), but Krop noted that his questions to Robinson about drinking were also different during that second interview. 48 The State also focused on certain statutory aggravating circumstances, namely Robinson's having killed St. George to avoid arrest. The State asked Krop whether Robinson indicated he shot St. George a second time to avoid prosecution, as Fields had testified. Robinson indicated to Krop that he would like to believe he fired the second shot so St. George would not suffer, but Robinson didn't deny the possibility that he shot St. George a second time to eliminate her as a witness. 49 On re-direct, Krop testified about other facts he believed to be mitigating. Krop stated that Robinson is taking more responsibility for his actions and is less hostile than when Krop first met him. Krop mentioned Robinson's kindness towards others and good deeds. For example, Krop testified that (1) Robinson was helpful in the county jail system in terms of at least four incidents in which there were [sic] potential [for] violence, and Robinson quelled that violence, and (2) Robinson helped others in prison obtain their education or GED. 50 Robinson's counsel also questioned Krop about Robinson's employment record, which to some extent was listed in Robinson's PSI that Krop reviewed. Krop stated, I'm not aware of any formal employment, but I did not note that in the record. Robinson's counsel pressed further as to Robinson's work history, asking whether it was true Robinson repaired automobiles. Krop replied, I believe that I saw that in — as part of the training that he received or was noted, and that's a skill of his in his records. 14