Opinion ID: 1105837
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence/Proportionality

Text: Though not directly raised by Jennings, we turn now to our required independent review of the sufficiency of the evidence as well as the proportionality of Jennings' death sentences as compared to other cases where we have affirmed death sentences. See Terry, 668 So.2d at 965; Porter v. State, 564 So.2d 1060, 1064 (Fla.1990). We have independently reviewed the evidence in the present case, see Parker v. Dugger, 660 So.2d 1386 (Fla.1995), including Jennings' inculpatory statements made to law enforcement personnel, his ownership of the murder weapon, and his bloody shoe prints leading from the murder scene. The evidence also includes general testimony regarding not only Jennings' dislike of Cracker Barrel and Siddle, but also his past statements about committing a robbery and not leaving any witnesses. We conclude as a matter of law that the evidence is sufficient to support Jennings' murder convictions. Further, based on our review of all of the aggravating and mitigating factors, including their nature and quality according to the specific facts of this case, we find that the totality of the circumstances justifies the imposition of the death sentence, see Porter, 564 So.2d at 1064, and that this case is proportionate to other cases where we have upheld the imposition of a death sentence. See, e.g., Stein (affirming death sentences where, inter alia, murders were cold, calculated, and premeditated and committed during armed robbery to avoid arrest, and defendant had no significant history of prior criminal activity); LeCroy v. State, 533 So.2d 750 (Fla.1988) (affirming death sentence where, inter alia, murder was committed during course of armed robbery to avoid arrest, and defendant had no significant history of prior criminal activity). Based on the foregoing analysis of the issues, we affirm Jennings' convictions and sentences. It is so ordered. HARDING, C.J., and OVERTON, SHAW, KOGAN, WELLS, ANSTEAD and PARIENTE, JJ., concur.