Horsley v. State
SimpleOriginal
2015 | State Juristiction

Horsley v. State

Keywords juvenile offender; non-homicide offense; Graham v. Florida; Miller v. Alabama; resentencing; Eighth Amendment

Abstract

This case involved a defendant, Mr. Horsley, who was convicted of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault, and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. He was a juvenile when he was sentenced, and he later appealed to have his sentence corrected to align with juvenile sentencing rules. He was resentenced to life in prison without parole, and he appealed a second time. He argued that under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida, it was unconstitutional for him to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes he committed as a juvenile offender. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed that his sentence was unconstitutional and remanded his case for resentencing in line with juvenile sentencing statutes.

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Abstract

This case involved a defendant, Mr. Horsley, who was convicted of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault, and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. He was a juvenile when he was sentenced, and he later appealed to have his sentence corrected to align with juvenile sentencing rules. He was resentenced to life in prison without parole, and he appealed a second time. He argued that under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida, it was unconstitutional for him to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes he committed as a juvenile offender. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed that his sentence was unconstitutional and remanded his case for resentencing in line with juvenile sentencing statutes.

Summary

This case concerned Mr. Horsley, who was convicted as a juvenile of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault. He was sentenced to life without parole. Subsequent appeals challenged the constitutionality of his sentence, which was upheld at resentencing. Mr. Horsley appealed again, arguing that under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida, his sentence was unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court of Florida agreed with Mr. Horsley, ruling that his sentence was unconstitutional and remanded his case for resentencing according to Florida's juvenile sentencing statutes.

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Abstract

This case involved a defendant, Mr. Horsley, who was convicted of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault, and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. He was a juvenile when he was sentenced, and he later appealed to have his sentence corrected to align with juvenile sentencing rules. He was resentenced to life in prison without parole, and he appealed a second time. He argued that under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida, it was unconstitutional for him to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes he committed as a juvenile offender. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed that his sentence was unconstitutional and remanded his case for resentencing in line with juvenile sentencing statutes.

Summary

Mr. Horsley was convicted as a juvenile of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault, and sentenced to life without parole. He appealed this sentence, arguing that it was unconstitutional under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida. The Florida Supreme Court agreed and remanded the case for resentencing, finding that Horsley's sentence violated the constitutional standards set forth in these landmark cases.

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Abstract

This case involved a defendant, Mr. Horsley, who was convicted of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault, and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. He was a juvenile when he was sentenced, and he later appealed to have his sentence corrected to align with juvenile sentencing rules. He was resentenced to life in prison without parole, and he appealed a second time. He argued that under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida, it was unconstitutional for him to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes he committed as a juvenile offender. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed that his sentence was unconstitutional and remanded his case for resentencing in line with juvenile sentencing statutes.

Summary

Mr. Horsley was convicted of serious crimes as a teenager and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He appealed his sentence twice, arguing that the Supreme Court's decisions in Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida made his sentence unconstitutional. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed with Mr. Horsley and sent his case back to the lower court for a new sentencing hearing that follows the rules for sentencing juvenile offenders.

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Abstract

This case involved a defendant, Mr. Horsley, who was convicted of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and assault, and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. He was a juvenile when he was sentenced, and he later appealed to have his sentence corrected to align with juvenile sentencing rules. He was resentenced to life in prison without parole, and he appealed a second time. He argued that under Miller v. Alabama and Graham v. Florida, it was unconstitutional for him to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes he committed as a juvenile offender. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed that his sentence was unconstitutional and remanded his case for resentencing in line with juvenile sentencing statutes.

Summary

Mr. Horsley was found guilty of serious crimes when he was a teenager. He was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of ever getting out. This means he would stay in prison forever.

Mr. Horsley thought this sentence was unfair because he was a teenager when he committed the crimes. He asked the court to change his sentence. The court agreed that his sentence was too harsh and sent his case back to be looked at again.

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Footnotes and Citation

Cite

160 So.3d 393 (Fla. 2015)

Highlights