Opinion ID: 1818171
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence Supporting Salazar's Conviction

Text: Although not argued by Salazar, we independently review the record to determine whether competent, substantial evidence exists to support Salazar's first-degree murder conviction. See Guardado v. State, 965 So.2d 108, 118 (Fla.2007), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 128 S.Ct. 1250, 170 L.Ed.2d 90 (2008); Buzia v. State, 926 So.2d 1203, 1217 (Fla.2006). Upon a thorough review of the evidence presented at trial, we hold that sufficient evidence supports Salazar's conviction under both premeditated and felony murder theories. Specifically, Ronze Cummings, who had worked and lived with Salazar, identified him as the mastermind. Ronze explained that Salazar and Hatcher broke into his house on the night of the murder and held him and Nutter at gunpoint. According to Ronze, Salazar told them somebody die tonight. Then, Salazar made three separate attempts to murder the victims, including ordering Hatcher to (1) asphyxiate them with plastic bags and duct tape; (2) slit their throats; and (3) shoot them in the head through a pillow. The last of these attempts was successful as to Nutter. Further, Hatcher testified that Salazar forced him to travel to Fort Drum at gunpoint. Consistent with Ronze's account, Hatcher testified that Salazar broke into Ronze's house, threatened to kill the victims, and then ordered Hatcher to kill them or be killed himself. Ronze's and Hatcher's testimony is consistent with the evidence collected at the crime scene and the findings of Detective Brock's investigation. Accordingly, sufficient evidence supports Salazar's first-degree murder conviction.