Ronnie Johnson

Case identification

Ronnie Johnson, also known as “Boo” and “Ronnie Boo”, was identified as DC# 440701. His date of birth was 02/23/61. The case was held in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Dade County (Case 89-14998).

Timeline

• 03/11/89 — Ronnie Johnson knocked on the front door of Sparkle City Laundromat around 9 p.m., asked for change, barged in when the door was opened by Tequila Larkins, argued with her, and began physically fighting with her; after several blows to Ms. Larkins’ face, Johnson pulled a gun and shot her.
• 04/02/89 — Johnson confessed to the crime.
• 04/24/89 — Johnson entered a plea of not guilty.
• 11/07/91 — A jury returned guilty verdict for both counts.
• 11/13/91 — A jury recommended death penalty by a 9-3 vote.
• 12/13/91 — Johnson was sentenced: Count I First-Degree Murder—Death; Count II Armed Burglary—Life.
• 02/19/92 — Johnson filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court, raising six issues.
• 05/08/97 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Johnson’s conviction and sentence of death.
• 09/29/97 — Johnson filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court.
• 01/26/98 — The United States Supreme Court denied the petition.
• 03/01/01 — Johnson filed a 3.850 Motion in the Circuit Court.
• 01/18/02 — Johnson amended the 3.850 Motion.
• 01/17/03 — The court denied the 3.850 Motion.
• 03/03/03 — Johnson filed a 3.850 Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court.
• 03/31/05 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of the 3.850 Motion.
• 09/17/03 — Johnson filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel.
• 03/31/05 — The Florida Supreme Court denied the Petition.
• 12/22/05 — Johnson filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the U.S. District Court, Southern District, which was pending.

Background

Tequila Larkins owned Sparkle City Laundromat in Perrine, Florida.

The offence

On 03/11/89, Tequila Larkins locked the front door of the establishment around 9 p.m. Customers Jerry Briggs, Valerie Briggs, Eric Bettle, and Walter Hills remained in the laundromat along with Ms. Larkins.

A short time later, Ronnie Johnson knocked on the front door and asked for change. When the door was opened by Ms. Larkins, Johnson barged in, began arguing with Ms. Larkins, and then began physically fighting with her. After several blows to Ms.

Johnson confessed to the crime on 04/02/89, but later moved to suppress the confession.

Investigation

Johnson confessed to the crime on 04/02/89 and later moved to suppress the confession.

Trial

On 04/24/89, Johnson entered a plea of not guilty.

On 11/07/91, the jury returned guilty verdict for both counts.

On 11/13/91, the jury recommended death penalty by a 9-3 vote.

Johnson’s trial attorney team consisted of Raymond Badini and Joy Carr (Assistant Public Defender). The direct appeal was handled by John H. Lipinski (Private Attorney). Collateral appeals were handled by Charles G. White (Registry). The sentencing judge was The Honorable Gerald D. Hubbart.

Sentencing

On 12/13/91, the court sentenced Ronnie Johnson as follows:

• Count I First-Degree Murder — Death
• Count II Armed Burglary — Life

Appeals

Direct appeal

On 02/19/92, Ronnie Johnson filed a Direct Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court raising six issues:

1. The trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress a confession.
2. Striking a juror for cause.
3. Denying a motion for mistrial based upon a Richardson violation.
4. Denying a motion for mistrial based upon unauthorized note-taking by the jury.
5. Prosecution’s closing argument was improper.
6. Finding that Johnson created a great risk of death to many persons.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Johnson’s conviction and sentence of death on 05/08/97.

Johnson filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court on 09/29/97. The petition was denied on 01/26/98.

3.850 motion and appeal

Johnson filed a 3.850 Motion in the Circuit Court on 03/01/01 and amended it on 01/18/02. The five issues raised were:

1. Ineffective assistance of counsel.
2. Conviction for felony-murder was invalid.
3. Denied access to state agency records.
4. Sentencing jury was misled.
5. The jury was prejudiced by the court’s instructions regarding non-statutory aggravating circumstances.

The court denied the Motion on 01/17/03.

Johnson filed a 3.850 Motion Appeal with the Florida Supreme Court on 03/03/03, citing the following errors:

• Improper substitution of trial counsel.
• Denying a motion to suppress.
• Withholding of evidence by the State.
• Failing to give proper jury instructions.

On 03/31/05, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of the 3.850 Motion.

Habeas corpus petitions

Johnson filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme Court on 09/17/03, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. On 03/31/05, the Florida Supreme Court denied the Petition.

Johnson filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the U.S. District Court, Southern District, on 12/22/05, which was pending.

Outcome

Ronnie Johnson’s conviction and sentence of death were affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court on 05/08/97. The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari on 01/26/98. The Florida Supreme Court denied the 3.850 Motion on 01/17/03 and affirmed its denial on 03/31/05. The Florida Supreme Court denied the habeas corpus Petition on 03/31/05. The U.S. District Court habeas petition filed on 12/22/05 remained pending.