Alex Pagan

Case record

Alex Pagan (DOB: 03/25/69) was sentenced to death on October 15, 1998.

Offences

Pagan was convicted for the murders of six-year-old Michael Lynn and Freddy Jones, and for the attempted murders of Latasha Jones and her 18-month-old brother, Lafayette Jones.

Pagan and Willie Graham had previously broken into the victim’s house on 01/23/93 and took clothes, jewelry and cash, which were later found in Pagan’s possession. Pagan and Graham learned of the possibility of obtaining an additional $12,000 to $13,000 in the same house, and they planned on returning to get the money.

On 02/23/93, Pagan and Graham, both wearing ski masks, entered the victim’s master bedroom by breaking the sliding glass door in the room where Freddy and Latasha, and their baby (Lafayette) were sleeping. Pagan and Graham demanded that they give them the money. When Freddy denied having any money, one of the intruders began searching the house. He found Michael Lynn in another room and took him to the master bedroom.

The intruder then took Latasha at gun point and searched the rest of the house. When he couldn’t find the money, he took Latasha back into the bedroom and hit her with the gun. One of the intruders then began looking in a closet when the door light turned on. He closed the door immediately fearing that the family had seen his face.

Latasha testified that one of the gunmen’s masks was partially off, and she could tell he had white skin. One of them then took the keys to the victim’s car and told the other to go start the car. The gunman, Pagan, then tied everybody up.

Pagan shot Freddy once and then said to Michael Lynn, “Shorty, if you live through this, don’t grow up to be like me.” He then fired several more shots. Latasha was shot but did not die, and she testified to having heard seven or eight shots.

After Pagan and Graham left, Latasha kicked out of her restraints and called out to Freddy and Michael. When she did not receive a response out of either of them, she grabbed her baby and ran out of the house to find help.

Freddy died from a gunshot wound to the head, and Michael Lynn died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head with one in the buttocks.

Background

Latasha Jones testified that their house had been burglarized on 01/23/93. She said that about $26,000 worth of clothes, jewelry and cash had been taken. Some of these items were later found in Pagan’s residence. Other items were found to have been taken by Graham to be pawned at two pawn shops.

Investigation and arrest

On 02/27/93, Pagan was arrested when search and arrest warrants were issued by the Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Sheldon M. Shapiro, for the murders of Freddy and Michael Lynn Jones and the attempted murder of Latasha and Lafayette Jones. Another Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Lawrence Korda, found that probable cause existed and that Pagan should be held to answer to charges surrounding the murders and attempted murders.

People involved

• Michael Lynn (victim; age: six-year-old)
• Freddy Jones (victim)
• Latasha Jones (victim; attempted murder)
• Lafayette Jones (victim; 18-month-old; attempted murder)
• Willie Graham (codefendant; AKA: Shaikwam; DC# 194678)
• Antonio Quezada (witness; friend of the defendants)
• Keith Jackson (witness; friend of the defendants)

Trial

Charges and indictment

Pagan was indicted as follows:

• Count I: Premeditated First-Degree Murder (Michael Lynn)
• Count II: Premeditated First-Degree Murder (Freddy)
• Count III: First-Degree Attempted Murder (Latasha)
• Count IV: First-Degree Attempted Murder (Lafayette)
• Count V: Burglary with a Firearm
• Count VI: Robbery with a Firearm

Evidence and testimony

Antonio Quezada and Keith Jackson testified that they saw both Pagan and Graham wearing jewelry that Latasha identified as being taken from her house on 01/23/93. Quezada also testified that he dropped Pagan and Graham off at the Jones’ house the night of the murders, and Pagan told him that he was going to kill everyone inside. Quezada also testified that, after the murders Pagan came to his house and told him they had killed everyone.

Jackson testified that Pagan also admitted to killing everyone, dismantling the gun and scattering the pieces all over Miami.

Verdict and jury recommendation

Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment on 12/20/96.

The jury recommended death by a vote of 7-5 on 03/05/97.

Sentencing

On 10/15/98, Pagan was sentenced as follows:

• Count I: Premeditated First-Degree Murder (Michael Lynn) – Death
• Count II: Premeditated First-Degree Murder (Freddy) – Death
• Count III: First-Degree Attempted Murder (Latasha) – Life
• Count IV: First-Degree Attempted Murder (Lafayette) – Life
• Count V: Burglary with a Firearm – Life
• Count VI: Robbery with a Firearm – Life

Codefendant

Willie Graham (AKA: Shaikwam) was charged and found guilty of the same 6 counts as Pagan (CC# 93-3648). Graham received two life sentences for counts I and II and was sentenced to 30 years for counts III, IV, V and VI. All sentences are to be served concurrently. He is currently incarcerated at Hardee Correctional Institution.

Appeals

On 11/08/98, Pagan filed his Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.

Pagan claimed that the trial court erred in allowing certain evidence to be entered, including pictures of the victims and expert testimony. Pagan argued that the Williams Rule of Evidence, which says evidence admitted to trial must be similar and relevant to the crimes being tried, was violated. The State introduced information about the previous burglary as an explanation and motive for the second break-in and subsequent murders. The Court found that the evidence was relevant to the murder trials.

Pagan also contended that the trial court should have granted his Motion to Suppress Evidence that was recovered during an illegal search of his residence. He claimed that the search warrant was issued on false information and that the police surpassed the scope of the warrant.

Among the other claims, Pagan contended that the trial court erred in not considering or granting various motions, which were based on numerous violations, for a new trial. The Court found no merit to any of his claims and affirmed his convictions and sentences on 04/04/02.

Subsequently, his rehearing was denied in light of revised opinion and the mandate was issued on 11/07/02.

On 03/10/03, Pagan filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, which was denied on 06/09/03.

On 05/07/04, Pagan filed a 3.850 Motion to the Circuit Court, which was denied on 02/07/06.

On 02/27/06, Pagan filed a 3.850 Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, which is also pending.

Timeline

• 01/23/93 — Pagan and Willie Graham broke into the victim’s house and took clothes, jewelry and cash.
• 02/23/93 — Pagan and Graham broke into the victim’s master bedroom by breaking the sliding glass door and demanded money; Freddy and Latasha and their baby were in the room.
• 02/27/93 — Pagan was arrested when search and arrest warrants were issued for the murders and attempted murders; probable cause was found by Honorable Lawrence Korda.
• 12/20/96 — Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment.
• 03/05/97 — Jury recommended death by a vote of 7-5.
• 10/15/98 — Pagan was sentenced to death for Counts I and II; and life for Counts III, IV, V and VI.
• 11/08/98 — Pagan filed his Direct Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.
• 04/04/02 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed his convictions and sentences.
• 11/07/02 — Rehearing was denied and the mandate was issued.
• 03/10/03 — Pagan filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.
• 06/09/03 — The Petition for Writ of Certiorari was denied.
• 05/07/04 — Pagan filed a 3.850 Motion to the Circuit Court.
• 02/07/06 — The 3.850 Motion was denied.
• 02/27/06 — Pagan filed a 3.850 Appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.

Outcome

Pagan was sentenced to death on October 15, 1998.

Other details

• Florida Supreme Court opinion SC94365.
• Also known as: Alejandro Ramirez or “Lex”.
• DC#: 668630.
• Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County.
• Case#: 93-3648.
• Sentencing Judge: The Honorable Susan Lebow.
• Trial Attorneys: Dennis Colleran & A. Randall Hass – Private Attorney.
• Direct Appeal Attorney: Richard L. Rosenbaum – Private Attorney.
• Collateral Appeals: Peter Cannon – CCRC-M.
• Date of Offense: 02/23/93.
• Date of Sentence: 10/15/98.
• Trial Summary notes:
  • Trial event: 03/25/93 indicted as follows (Counts I to VI).
  • Jury recommended death by a vote of 7-5 on 03/05/97.
  • Sentencing on 10/15/98 with Counts I to VI as listed above.
• Quotation spoken during the offence:

  Pagan said to Michael Lynn, “Shorty, if you live through this, don’t grow up to be like me.”