Opinion ID: 4185584
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: First Direct Appeal

Text: The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of Willacy’s motion for new trial, concluding, as to juror Clark: “Willacy mistakenly equates Clark’s placement in the Pretrial Intervention Program with prosecution. Pretrial intervention is merely an alternative to prosecution. Since Clark was not under prosecution, Willacy’s motion for a new trial was properly denied.” Willacy I, 640 So. 2d at 1082-83 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Nevertheless, because the trial court erroneously denied the defense an opportunity to rehabilitate a prospective juror when the juror expressed concern about recommending the death penalty, the Florida Supreme Court vacated Willacy’s death sentence and remanded for a new sentencing hearing. Id. at 1082.