Charles Globe

Case information

Charles Globe was an inmate in Columbia Correctional Institution in July of 2000. He was indicted in the Third Judicial Circuit, Columbia County, Case # 00-897.

The Supreme Court of Florida opinion identified the case as SC02-39 and DC# 097707. Charles Globe’s date of birth was 01/26/59.

People

• Charles Globe — defendant, inmate at Columbia Correctional Institution; later sentenced to death and died in prison
• Andrew Busby — fellow inmate; codefendant
• Elton Ard — intended victim; the inmate who was killed
• E. Vernon Douglas — sentencing judge (The Honorable E. Vernon Douglas)
• M. Blair Payne — trial attorney (Private Attorney)
• Steven Seliger — direct appeal attorney (Private Attorney)
• Michael Reiter — collateral appeals attorney (Registry)
• FDLE agents — Federal agents who received a tape recorded statement after Miranda warnings
• Department of Corrections officials — officials who read Globe another Miranda warning on 07/07/00
• Correctional officer — found Globe locked inside Ard and Busby’s cell during a prisoner count
• Jury — returned a guilty verdict and recommended death

Timeline

• 07/03/00 — Charles Globe and Andrew Busby planned to kill an inmate or correctional officer; Globe made garrotes and killed Elton Ard in Ard’s and Busby’s cell
• 08/17/00 — Indicted on one count of First-Degree Murder
• 09/11/01 — Jury returned a guilty verdict on the sole count of the indictment
• 09/14/01 — Jury recommended death by a vote of 9-3
• 10/11/01 — Sentenced to death on sole count of indictment
• 01/07/02 — Globe filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court
• 03/18/04 — Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence
• 09/30/05 — Globe filed a 3.851 Motion with the Circuit Court pending
• 05/01/08 — Globe died in prison

The offence

In July of 2000, Charles Globe and a fellow inmate, Andrew Busby, planned to kill an inmate or correctional officer. For two weeks, Globe and Busby created a list of seven potential victims. One of the potential victims was Busby’s cellmate, Elton Ard.

Globe and Busby talked for days about killing Ard and developed a plan to do so. Globe used part of a linen sheet and broken ballpoint pens to make two garrotes to strangle Ard.

On the morning of 07/03/00, Globe slipped into Ard’s and Busby’s cell. After locking the cell door and covering the window, Globe grabbed Ard around the neck and they struggled. Globe placed one of the garrotes around Ard’s neck, but it broke as Globe and Busby strangled Ard. Ard pled for his life, offering money to Globe. Globe struck Ard in the face, causing him to bleed.

Globe flushed the broken garrote down the toilet and tied the second garrote around Ard’s neck. Globe lit a cigarette and watched Ard gasp for air six times before Ard finally died.

After Ard’s death, Globe tied the garrote around Ard’s wrist, lit a cigarette and put it in Ard’s mouth, and placed a lighter in Ard’s hand.

Investigation and evidence

During a prisoner count later that morning, a correctional officer found Globe locked inside Ard and Busby’s cell. Ard had a cigarette in his mouth but appeared to be dead. Abrasions and other marks were visible on Globe’s face.

Evidence recovered from the crime scene included:

• photographs of writing on the prison wall
• photographs of bloody fingerprints
• the cigarette lighter and cigarette found on Ard
• a magic marker used to write on the wall

In handwriting determined to be Globe’s, the words written on the cell walls included:

• “Call FDLE,”
• “Remember Andy and K.D., 7/3/2000,”
• “Don’t forget to look on the door”

Several hours after the murder, Globe and Busby were read their Miranda warnings and gave a tape recorded statement to FDLE agents confessing to the Ard murder.

On 07/07/00, Globe was again read his Miranda warning by Department of Corrections officials and again confessed to the Ard murder.

Trial

Globe was sentenced to death on 10/11/01 on the sole count of the indictment.

Sentencing

Charles Globe was sentenced to death on October 11, 2001, by The Honorable E. Vernon Douglas.

Appeals

Direct appeal

Globe filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 01/07/02, citing:

• denying a motion to suppress statements to FDLE investigators
• admitting Busby’s confession
• improper penalty phase and jury instructions
• Ring claims
• improper sentencing order
• disproportionality of the death penalty
• failing to consider mitigating circumstances

On 03/18/04, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence.

Collateral appeal

Globe filed a 3.851 Motion with the Circuit Court on 09/30/05. The motion was pending.

Codefendant

Andrew Busby was tried separately, convicted, and sentenced to death.

Outcome and aftermath

Charles Globe was sentenced to death on October 11, 2001. He died in prison on May 1, 2008.