TheCommission on Capital Cases updates this information regularly. Thisinformation, however, is subject to change and may not reflect the lateststatus of an inmate’s case and should not be relied on for statistical or legalpurposes.

GROOVER,Tommy S. (W/M) 

DC#   088266

DOB: 04/03/58

FourthJudicial Circuit, Duval County Case #82-1659CF

TrialJudge:  The Honorable R. Hudson Olliff

Attorney,Trial:  Brent D. Shore – Private

Attorney,Direct Appeal:  Glenna Joyce Reeves – Assistant Public Defender

Attorney,Collateral Appeals:  Martin McClain & Linda McDermott – Pro Bono

Date ofOffense:           02/06/82

Date ofSentence:         02/18/83

Circumstancesof Offense:

OnFebruary 6, 1982, Tommy Groover, Robert Parker and his wife Elaine Parkerforced Richard Padgett to leave a nightclub, where he had been drinking withhis girlfriend Nancy Sheppard. Parker was angry because Groover had suppliedPadgett with drugs that Groover was selling for Parker, but Padgett had notpaid for them.  Padgett was taken to Parker’s junkyard and beaten; then hewas taken to a wooded area and shot.  His throat was cut and his body wasthrown in a ditch.

Grooverand the Parkers melted the barrel of the handgun, then went to a bar where theywere joined by a young woman named Jody Dalton.  The group departed thebar to dispose of the gun and pick up another woman, Joan Bennett, who couldtell them where Sheppard lived.  As the five drove in Elaine’s car towarda lake, Groover asked Dalton to perform oral sex on him and she complied. At the lake, Dalton was shot five times.  Her body was anchored withconcrete blocks and thrown in the lake.  Bennett testified that Grooverbeat Dalton before shooting her.  Groover later claimed Parker had shotDalton.

Thegroup then picked up Sheppard at her home and Billy Long at his and drove tothe scene of the Padgett murder.  Long was given a gun and shown Padgett’sbody in the ditch.  He was told that unless he killed Sheppard, he toowould be killed.  Upon seeing her boyfriend’s body, she fell to her kneesand began crying.  Long then shot her and Parker stabbed her.  Parkertook Sheppard’s necklace and class ring from her body before the body wasthrown into the ditch with Padgett’s.

CodefendantInformation:

RobertParker was convicted of two counts of First-Degree Murder (Padgett andSheppard) and one count of Third-Degree Murder (Dalton).  The jury in 1983recommended life sentences for both capital murder convictions.  The judgefollowed the recommendation as to the Padgett murder, but overrode it as to theSheppard murder and sentenced Parker to death.  The defendant received a15 year prison sentence for the Third-Degree Murder conviction.  In 1994,the Florida Supreme Court vacated the death sentence and Parker wassubsequently resentenced to life imprisonment without the eligibility ofparole.

ElaineParker was convicted of Second-Degree Murder for her role in the offense. She was sentenced in 1983 to 30 years imprisonment.  She was released in1990. 

BillyLong was convicted of Second-Degree Murder and was sentenced in 1983 to 30years imprisonment.  He was released in 1990 and died in 1998.

JoanBennett was convicted of Accessory After the Fact to Third-Degree Murder andwas sentenced in 1983 to two years imprisonment.  She was released in1984.

PriorIncarceration History in the State of Florida:

Prior tothe murders, Groover was convicted of seven misdemeanors and one felony as anadult, including aggravated assault, resisting arrest and marijuanapossession.  He also was convicted of attempted prison escape in 1989.

TrialSummary:

02/25/82         Indicted on the following charges:

                       Count I            First-Degree Murder (Padgett)

                       Count II          First-Degree Murder (Sheppard)

                       Count III         First-Degree Murder (Dalton)

01/08/83         Defendant was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder as

charged in the indictment.

01/11/83         Upon advisory sentencing, the jury by a majority vote recommended the

following sentences forGroover: 

Count I            First-DegreeMurder – Life Imprisonment (Padgett)

Count II          First-DegreeMurder – Life Imprisonment

(Sheppard)

Count III         First-DegreeMurder – Death (Dalton)

02/18/83         The judge overrode the jury recommendation on one of the convictions

and sentenced Groover asfollows: 

Count I            First-DegreeMurder – Death (Padgett)

Count II          First-DegreeMurder – Life Imprisonment

(Sheppard)

Count III         First-DegreeMurder – Death (Dalton)

AppealSummary:

FloridaSupreme Court, Direct Appeal

FSC#63,375

458So.2d 226

03/08/83         Appeal filed.

09/06/84         FSC affirmed the convictions and sentences.

11/28/84         Rehearing denied.

UnitedStates Supreme Court, Petition for Writ of Certiorari

USSC#84-6167

471 U.S.1009

01/28/85         Petition filed.

04/01/85         Petition denied.

StateCircuit Court, 3.850 Motion (I)

Circuit Court Case #82-1659-CF

06/01/86         Motion filed.

06/01/86         Motion denied.

FloridaSupreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Motion Denial

FSC#68,845

489So.2d 15

06/02/86         Appeal filed.

06/03/86         FSC remanded to the trial court for an evidentiary hearing.

06/03/86         Mandate issued.

StateCircuit Court, 3.850 Motion (On Remand)

CircuitCourt Case #82-1659-CF

07/17,18/86    Evidentiary hearing

08/26/88         Trial court denied Motion.

01/26/89         Rehearing denied.

FloridaSupreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Motion Denial

FSC#73,756

574So.2d 97

02/24/89         Appeal filed

01/03/91         FSC affirmed trial court’s denial of 3.850 Motion.

02/25/91         Rehearing denied.

02/25/91         Mandate issued.

StateCircuit Court, 3.850 Motion (II)

Circuit Court Case #82-1659-CF

08/01/91         Motion filed.

09/27/91         Motion denied.

FloridaSupreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Motion Denial

FSC#79,199

640So.2d 1077

01/08/92         Appeal filed.

05/05/94         FSC affirmed trial court’s denial of 3.850 Motion.

08/15/94         Rehearing denied.

08/15/94         Mandate issued.

UnitedStates District Court, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

USDC#94-1007-CIV-J-20

(pending)

10/17/94         Petition filed.

06/01/98         Petition amended.

08/08/02         Administratively closed pending decision in FSC Bottoson/King cases.

06/23/03         Case reopened

FloridaSupreme Court, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

FSC#84,807

656So.2d 424

12/02/94         Petition filed.

04/06/95         FSC denied Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus.

06/23/95         Rehearing denied.

StateCircuit Court, 3.850 Motion (III)

Circuit Court Case #82-1659-CF

12/03/94         Motion filed.

05/30/95         Motion denied.

08/28/95         Rehearing denied.

FloridaSupreme Court, Appeal of 3.850 Motion Denial

FSC#86,623

703 So.2d 1035

10/11/95         Appeal filed.

08/21/97         FSC affirmed trial court’s denial of 3.850 Motion.

01/09/98         Rehearing denied.

02/09/98         Mandate issued.

StateCircuit Court, 3.850 Motion (IV)

CircuitCourt Case# 82-1659-CF

(pending)

06/11/02         Motion filed

08/15/02         Motion amended

11/30/04         Motion amended

04/14/05         Motion amended

07/29/05          Motionamended

FloridaSupreme Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

FSC#04-412

03/11/04         Petition filed

11/02/05         Petition denied

12/22/05         Rehearing denied

FloridaSupreme Court – Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

FSC#06-1151 

06/13/06         Petition filed

06/26/09          Petitiondenied

DeathWarrant Information:

05/07/86         Governor Graham signed death warrant.

06/04/86         Scheduled execution date.

06/03/86         Florida Supreme Court granted stay of execution.

 ClemencyHearing:

02/13/86         Hearing held (denied).

FactorsContributing to the Delay in Imposition of Sentence:

Thedelays in this case can be attributed to the following:  A federalPetition for Habeas Corpus that has been pending since 1994, the number of3.850 Motions filed, and Groover’s first 3.850 Motion that was in the trialcourt for more than two years before it was denied in 1988.

CaseInformation:

Grooverfiled a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 03/08/83, citingnumerous trial court errors, only one of which was addressed by the FSC. The court addressed the issue raised by Groover that a statement made by Grooverin a plea bargain, that was later withdrawn, should not be used as evidence ofhis culpability. The FSC rejected this argument and affirmed the convictionsand sentences on 09/06/84.  The U.S. Supreme Court denied Certiorari on04/01/85.

GovernorGraham signed a death warrant on Groover on 05/07/86. 

Thefollowing month, on 06/01/86, the defendant filed a 3.850 Motion with the trialcourt. The court denied the Motion on the same day it was filed. Onappeal, the Florida Supreme Court, on 06/03/86, stayed the execution andremanded the case for an evidentiary hearing. The trial court held a hearing on07/17 – 07/18/86 and denied the motion on 08/26/88.  On appeal, Grooverclaimed that his counsel was deficient for failing to seek an examination to determinehis competency to stand trial.  The FSC rejected the claim and affirmed on01/03/91.

Thedefendant filed his second 3.850 Motion with the trial court on 08/01/91. The court denied the Motion the following month on 09/27/91.  On appeal,the Florida Supreme Court found procedural bars or no merit to Groover’s fourclaims and addressed only two issues:  that the trial court erred infailing to consider non-statutory mitigation and that the court erred byadopting the State’s proposed order denying 3.850 relief.  The SupremeCourt affirmed the trial court’s denial of the 3.850 Motion on 05/05/94.

Grooverpetitioned U.S. District Court, Middle District, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on10/17/94.  On 08/08/02, the USDC administratively closed the case pendinga decision in the FSC Bottoson/King cases.  The case was reopened on06/26/03 and is pending.

On12/02/94, the defendant petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for a Writ ofHabeas Corpus, citing ineffective assistance of counsel.  The court deniedthe petition on 04/06/95.

Grooverfiled his third 3.850 Motion with the trial court on 12/03/94.  The courtdenied the motion on 05/30/95.  On appeal, Groover claimed the trial courterred in denying his claim that codefendant Parker’s resentencing to lifeimprisonment for the Sheppard murder should be considered in mitigation of hisdeath sentences, that the court erred in denying him an opportunity to arguehis 3.850 Motion before the court, and that the court erred in dismissing hisamended 3.850 Motion.  The Florida Supreme Court rejected the claims andaffirmed the trial court’s denial of the 3.850 Motion on 08/21/97.

Grooverfiled his fourth 3.850 Motion with the trial court on 06/11/02 and amended iton 08/15/02, 11/30/04, 04/14/05, and 07/29/05.  The case is pending.

Grooverfiled a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court on03/11/04 that was denied on 11/02/05.

Grooverfiled a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court on06/13/06 that was denied on 06/26/09.  

InstitutionalAdjustment:

THEFOLLOWING ENTRIES REFLECT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST THE INMATE FOR VIOLATIONOF THE RULE CITED AND INDICATE THE GAIN TIME DAYS LOST.

DATE                   DAYS                    VIOLATION                                      LOCATION      

06/23/88                0                             POSS OF ESCAPE PARA                FLORIDA STATE PRISON

06/23/88                0                             DEST OF STATE PROP    FLORIDA STATEPRISON               

09/06/89                0                             UNARMED ASSAULT    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

07/29/91                0                             POSS OF WEAPONS                        FLORIDA STATE PRISON

07/20/93                0                             DEFACING STATE PROP.             FLORIDA STATE PRISON

09/15/93                0                             POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

10/10/94                0                             DISOBEYING ORDER    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

10/28/94                0                             POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

12/27/94                0                             DISOBEYING ORDER    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

04/01/95                0                             VERBAL DISRESPECT  FLORIDA STATE PRISON

04/07/95                0                             DEST OF STATE PROP   FLORIDA STATE PRISON

04/14/95                0                             MAIL VIOLATIONS                        FLORIDA STATE PRISON

05/16/95                0                             POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

06/17/95                0                             POSS OF CONTRABAND    FLORIDA STATEPRISON               

02/24/96                0                            POSS OFCONTRABAND            UNION C.I.-MED.FAC.

04/29/97                0                            FIGHTING                                         UNION C.I.        

05/26/97                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               UNION C.I.-MED.FAC.

11/04/97                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               UNION C.I.-MED.FAC.

12/04/97                0                            DEFACING STATEPROP.            UNION C. I.        

11/27/98                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND              UNION C. I.        

11/27/98               0                            DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS              UNION C.I.        

01/11/99                0                            DISOBEYINGORDER                   UNION C.I.        

01/17/99                0                            POSS OFCONTRABAND              UNION C. I.        

01/28/99                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND              UNION C. I.        

02/04/99                0                            POSS OFCONTRABAND              UNION C. I.        

02/25/99                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               UNION C.I.        

03/04/99                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               UNION C.I.        

04/13/99               60                          DISOBEYING ORDER    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

05/29/99               60                          DISOBEYING ORDER    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

07/12/99               60                          DISOBEYING ORDER    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

08/16/99               90                          DEST. OF STATE PROP. FLORIDA STATE PRISON

04/20/00               30                          DEFACING STATE PROP.             FLORIDA STATE PRISON

04/20/00               30                          POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

04/29/00                0                            SPOKEN THREATS                         FLORIDA STATE PRISON

07/07/00                0                            DISOBEYING ORDER    FLORIDA STATE PRISON

08/10/00                0                            MISUSE OF STATE PROP              FLORIDA STATE PRISON

08/16/00                0                               LYING TO STAFF                        FLORIDASTATE PRISON

10/09/00                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

10/20/00                0                            DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

10/30/00                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

11/13/00                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

01/10/01                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               FLORIDA STATE PRISON

06/30/01                0                            DISOBEYING ORDER                    UNION C.I.      

11/21/02                0                            DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS               UNION C. I.     

05/03/05                0                            POSS OF CONTRABAND               UNION C. I.

________________________________________________________________

Reportdate:     06/15/01         TB

Approved:       WHS

Updated:         09/18/09         KKR