The Commission on Capital Cases updates thisinformation regularly. This information; however, is subject to changeand may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not berelied upon for statistical or legal purposes.
JEFFRIES, Sonny Ray (W/M)
DOB: 09/04/63
Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County Case # 93-9667
Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Robert C. Wattles
Attorneys, Trial: Pro Se, Leticia J. Marques & FrancisBlankner – Private
Attorney, Direct Appeal: Michael S. Becker – AssistantPublic Defender
Attorneys, Collateral Appeals: Daphney Gaylord – CCRC-M
Date of Offense: 08/20/93
Date of Sentence: 01/22/99
Circumstances of Offense:
Wilma Martin worked as a property manager and herresponsibilities included collecting rent money from tenants. Martinestablished a landlord-tenant relationship with Kevin Jeffries, RoxanneJeffries, and Tammy Avant, who are all related to Sonny Jeffries. In thesummer of 1993, Sonny Jeffries moved to Florida from New Jersey and becameacquainted with Tammy Jeffries’ boyfriend’s brother, Harry Thomas.
Martin’s body was found on 08/20/93. She had beenstabbed several times and kicked or stomped to death. A bloody footprintand fingerprint were left at the crime scene. Several pieces of jewelrywere taken and later pawned.
Roxanne Jeffries testified to overhearing Sonny Jeffries andHarry Thomas talk about going out, robbing and killing someone. AfterJeffries and Thomas returned from an alleged trip to Disney World, Roxannenoticed that Jeffries had rings in his possession that he did not have in the past.
Dennis Thomas, the brother of Harry Thomas, testified tooverhearing Thomas and Jeffries talk about robbing Martin. He alsooverheard the pair saying that Martin would be a good target because shecollected rent money.
Laboratory analysis determined that the shoe print left atthe crime scene could have been left by the same type of shoes as worn byJeffries, but was not conclusive as to whether Jeffries’ shoes were the onesthat left the print. Further analysis of the fingerprint left at thecrime scene determined that the fingerprint matched those of Jeffries.
Codefendant Information:
Harry Thomas was chargedunder the same indictment as Jeffries. Thomas pled nolo contendere toCount I of the indictment, and was sentenced to a prison term of 20years. The State nolle prosequied Counts II and III of theindictment. Thomas was conditionally released on 12/10/03 and returned toNew Jersey.
Additional Information:
Prior to trial, Jeffrieswas found incompetent to proceed on 07/19/94 and 06/12/96.
On 11/26/02, the CircuitCourt determined that Jeffries was incompetent to proceed. On 03/18/04,the State filed a motion for treatment to restore competency, and a Durocherhearing was held on 10/05/04. On 10/08/04, the court issued an order ofcommitment. On 04/08/05 and 05/26/05, Durocher hearings were held, and on12/15/05, the court issued an order declaring Jeffries competent.
Trial Summary:
10/18/93 Indicted as follows:
Count I: First-Degree Murder
Count II: Armed Robbery
Count III: Armed Burglary
04/23/98 Jury returned guilty verdicts on Counts I and II and a not guilty verdict on
Count III
09/09/98 Jury recommended death by a vote of 11-1
01/22/99 Sentenced as follows:
Count I: First-DegreeMurder – Death
Count II: Armed Robbery – LifeImprisonment
Appeal Summary:
Florida Supreme Court – Direct Appeal
FSC# 94,994
797 So. 2d 573
03/01/99 Appeal filed
08/23/01 FSC affirmed convictions and sentences
10/09/01 Rehearing denied and Mandate issued
Circuit Court – 3.850 Motion
CC# 93-9667
12/03/02 Motion filed
11/26/02 Jeffries determined incompetent to proceed
10/21/03 CC denied all claims except competency
02/13/06 Motion amended
06/08/06 Motion amended
07/15/08 Motion denied
Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition ofSentence:
Delays in the case havecome from competency issues that have arisen during the 3.850 Motion, which waspending from 12/03/02 – 03/30/07.
Case Information:
Jeffries filed a DirectAppeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 03/01/99, citing the following errors:denying a motion to suppress shoes as evidence; overruling an objection to theState’s use of a peremptory challenge; denying a motion for judgment ofacquittal; improperly evaluating mitigating evidence; and disproportionality ofthe death sentence. On 08/23/01, the FSC affirmed the convictions andsentences.
Jeffries filed a 3.850Motion with the Circuit Court on 12/03/02. On 11/26/02, the Circuit Courtdetermined that Jeffries was incompetent to proceed. On 10/21/03, theCircuit Court denied all claims except competency. On 03/18/04, the Statefiled a motion for treatment to restore competency, and a hearing was held on10/05/04. On 10/08/04, the court issued an order or commitment. On04/08/05 and 05/26/05, the court held hearings, and on 12/15/05, the courtissued an order declaring Jeffries competent. On 02/13/06 and06/08/06, the motion was amended. On 03/30/07, the Circuit Courtdismissed the motion.
Institutional Adjustment:
THEFOLLOWING ENTRIES REFLECT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST THE INMATE
FOR VIOLATIONOF THE RULE CITED AND INDICATE THE GAIN TIME DAYS LOST.
DATE DAYS VIOLATION LOCATION
08/27/99 28 ASSAULTS OR ATTEMPT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/27/99 0 POSS OFWEAPONS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/27/99 0 DEST. OF ST.PROP. FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/29/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/30/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/31/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/01/99 8 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/02/99 10 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/03/99 10 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/04/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/05/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/06/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/07/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/11/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/12/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/13/99 0 REF. SUB. ABUSETEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/13/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/13/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDASTATE PRISON
09/14/99 30 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/15/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/17/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/18/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/19/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/20/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/21/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/22/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/23/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/24/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/25/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/25/99 0 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/26/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/27/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/28/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/01/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/02/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/03/99 30 FAILURE TO COMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/05/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/06/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/15/99 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/16/99 0 DISOBEYING ORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/19/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/25/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/17/99 0 UNARMEDASSAULT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/22/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/23/99 0 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
11/23/99 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
01/11/00 0 REF. SUB. ABUSETEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/03/00 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/11/00 0 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
02/22/00 0 MAILVIOLATIONS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
04/05/00 0 REF. SUB. ABUSETEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
07/25/00 0 SPOKENTHREATS FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/08/00 0 REF. SUB. ABUSETEST FLORIDA STATE PRISON
09/11/00 0 DISOBEYINGORDER FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/00 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/00 0 UNARMED ASSAULT FLORIDA STATE PRISON
10/04/00 0 DEST. OF ST.PROP. FLORIDA STATE PRISON
08/28/01 0 DISOBEYINGORDER UNION C.I.
08/29/01 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY UNION C.I.
08/31/01 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY UNION C.I.
09/01/01 0 DISOBEYINGORDER UNION C.I.
09/03/01 0 FAILURE TOCOMPLY UNION C.I.
02/28/02 0 DISOBEYINGORDER UNION C.I.
04/28/02 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS UNION C.I.
04/28/02 0 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C.I.
07/12/02 0 DISOBEYINGORDER UNION C.I.
07/17/02 0 DISOBEYINGORDER UNION C.I.
02/04/04 30 POSS OF CONTRABAND UNION C. I.
09/17/04 60 DISRESP.TO OFFICIALS UNION C. I.
10/19/04 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT UNION C. I.
01/29/05 0 DISRESP.TOOFFICIALS UNION C. I.
03/07/06 60 DISOBEYING ORDER UNION C.I.
Report Date: 07/06/04 JFL
Approved: 07/08/04 EW
Updated: 04/24/09 KLH