Robert Rimmer

Case details

Robert Rimmer was indicted in a case involving 11 counts: two counts of First-Degree Murder, multiple counts of Armed Robbery and Armed Kidnapping, and additional counts of Attempted Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault.

Timeline

• 05/10/98 — Rimmer was arrested.
• 07/01/98 — Rimmer was indicted on the following counts:
  • Count I: First-Degree Murder
  • Count II: First-Degree Murder
  • Count III: Armed Robbery
  • Count IV: Armed Robbery
  • Count V: Armed Kidnapping
  • Count VI: Armed Kidnapping
  • Count VII: Armed Robbery
  • Count VIII: Armed Kidnapping
  • Count IX: Armed Kidnapping
  • Count X: Attempted Armed Robbery
  • Count XI: Aggravated Assault
• 01/28/99 — The jury found Rimmer guilty for each count of the indictment.
• 02/25/99 — Upon advisory sentencing, the jury, by a 9 to 3 majority, voted for the death penalty for each count of First-Degree Murder.
• 03/19/99 — Rimmer was sentenced as follows:
  • Count I: First-Degree Murder — Death
  • Count II: First-Degree Murder — Death
  • Count III: Armed Robbery — Life
  • Count IV: Armed Robbery — Life
  • Count IX: Armed Kidnapping — Life
  • Count V: Armed Kidnapping — Life
  • Count VI: Armed Kidnapping — Life
  • Count VII: Armed Robbery — Life
  • Count VIII: Armed Kidnapping — Life
  • Count X: Attempted Armed Robbery — 30 Years
  • Count XI: Aggravated Assault — 10 Years
• 04/19/99 — Rimmer filed his Direct Appeal in the Florida Supreme Court.
• 07/03/02 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the convictions and sentences.
• 08/26/02 — Rehearing was denied; a mandate was issued.
• 09/19/02 — Rimmer filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.
• 11/18/02 — The petition was denied.
• 11/05/03 — Rimmer filed a 3.850 Motion in the Circuit Court.
• 09/15/04 — The 3.850 Motion was amended; it was pending.

Trial

Rimmer was tried with Parker for the same 11 counts, which included First-Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Kidnapping, Attempted Armed Robbery, and Aggravated Assault. Rimmer was found guilty on all counts. Rimmer was sentenced separately from Parker.

Sentencing

The advisory sentencing resulted in a jury vote for the death penalty for each count of First-Degree Murder by a 9 to 3 majority. On March 19, 1999, Rimmer received two death sentences for the two First-Degree Murder counts, life sentences for multiple Armed Robbery and Armed Kidnapping counts, a 30-year sentence for Attempted Armed Robbery, and a 10-year sentence for Aggravated Assault.

Appeals

Rimmer’s Direct Appeal in the Florida Supreme Court addressed that the trial court erred in denying a motion to suppress physical evidence, in excusing several prospective jurors, and in not declaring a mistrial when the prosecutor questioned Rimmer’s wife as to his guilt and allegedly made improper comments during the guilt and penalty phases. The Florida Supreme Court did not find errors that warranted reversing the convictions or sentences and affirmed the convictions and sentences on 07/03/02. Rehearing was denied on 08/26/02, and a mandate was issued on 08/26/02.

Rimmer filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court on 09/19/02; the petition was denied on 11/18/02.

Post-conviction proceedings

Rimmer filed a 3.850 Motion in the Circuit Court on 11/05/03. On 09/15/04, the motion was amended. The motion was currently pending.

Other details

The case included 11 counts with multiple First-Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Kidnapping, Attempted Armed Robbery, and Aggravated Assault charges.