Floyd v. State, 1D11–4465.

• Decision Date: 26 August 2014
• Docket Number: No. 1D11–4465.,1D11–4465.
• Citation: 151 So.3d 452
• Parties: Robert Franklin FLOYD, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
• Court: Florida District Court of Appeals

151 So.3d 452

Robert Franklin FLOYD, Appellant

v.STATE of Florida, Appellee.

No. 1D11–4465.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.

Aug. 26, 2014.

Rehearing Denied Aug. 26, 2014.

Michael Ufferman, Tallahassee, for Appellant.

Pamela Jo Bondi, Attorney General, and Giselle Denise Lylen, Assistant Attorney General, Tallahassee, for Appellee.

REVISED OPINION

VAN NORTWICK, J.

Robert Franklin Floyd challenges his convictions for second degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Floyd raises six issues on appeal, but we need only address one. Because the trial court's conflicting instructions to the jury amounted to fundamental error, we reverse and remand for a new trial.

On February 27, 2010, Floyd was hosting a party at his residence. During that party, a dispute arose among some of those in attendance. According to the State's evidence, Floyd then shoved one of the individuals, who in turn displayed a pistol and who then retreated to his vehicle with a companion. Floyd meanwhile retrieved a rifle from his vehicle. The State further contended at trial that Floyd was the first to fire his weapon. Floyd, however, maintained that the other two individuals first opened fire from their vehicle and only then did he return fire. A bullet struck the passenger of the vehicle in his back, causing his death. At trial, Floyd claimed self-defense pursuant to the “stand your ground” law.

Before jury deliberations commenced, the jury was instructed in pertinent part:

An issue in this case is whether the defendant acted in self-defense. It is a defense to all of the offenses with which Robert Franklin Floyd is charged if the death of Gretyron Lopez Benjamin resulted from the justifiable use of deadly force.

The use of deadly force is justifiable only if the defendant reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another while resisting:

1. Another's attempt to murder him or another. Or.

2. Any attempt to commit aggravated battery or aggravated assault upon him or another.

“Deadly force” means force likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

A person is justified in using deadly force only if he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent:

1. Imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another. Or.

2. The imminent commission of aggravated battery or aggravated assault against himself or another.

Aggravated battery is defined as: ...

Aggravated assault is defined as: ....

However, the use of deadly force is not justifiable if you find:

1. Robert Franklin Floyd initially provoked the use of force against himself, unless [:]

A. The force asserted toward the defendant was so great that he reasonably believed that he was in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm and had exhausted every reasonable means to escape the danger other than using deadly force. Or.

B. In good faith the defendant withdrew from physical contact with another person and clearly indicated to that person that he wanted to withdraw and stop the use of deadly force. But that person continued or resumed the use of force.

In deciding whether a defendant was justified in the use of deadly force you must judge him by the circumstances by which he was surrounded at the time the force was used. The danger facing the defendant need not have been actual, however, to justify the use of deadly force the appearance of danger must have been so real that a reasonably cautious and prudent person under the same circumstances would have believed the danger could only be avoided through the use of that force.

Based upon appearances the defendant must have actually believed that the danger was real.

If the defendant was not engaged in any unlawful activity and was attacked in any place where he had a right to be, he had no duty to retreat and had the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he reasonably believed that it was necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or another, or to prevent the commission of a forceable [sic] felony.

(Emphasis added).

On appeal, Floyd argues that one part of the instruction negated the other, such that while...