Richard Shere

Case overview

Richard Shere was sentenced to death on April 17, 1989.

Timeline

• 01/15/88 — Shere was arrested.
• 02/02/88 — Shere was indicted on the following count: Count I: First-Degree Murder.
• 02/02/88 — On 09/01/89, Shere received two three-and-a-half year sentences for Possession of Firearm by a Felon and Carrying a Concealed Firearm (#89-0512).
• 04/21/89 — Shere was found guilty for Count I of the indictment.
• 04/17/89 — Shere was sentenced: Count I: First-Degree Murder — Death.
• 04/04/91 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence.
• 06/12/89 — Richard Shere filed his Direct Appeal in the Florida Supreme Court.
• 06/04/91 — Rehearing was denied.
• 07/11/91 — A Mandate was issued.
• 02/02/93 — Shere filed a 3.850 Motion in the Hernando County Circuit Court.
• 08/18/97 — This 3.850 Motion was denied.
• 10/16/97 — Shere filed a 3.850 Appeal in the Florida Supreme Court.
• 06/24/99 — The Florida Supreme Court denied the appeal.
• 08/24/99 — Rehearing was denied.
• 09/23/99 — A Mandate was issued.
• 04/15/98 — Shere filed a 3.850 Motion in the Hernando County Circuit Court.
• 05/07/98 — This motion was denied.
• 09/25/00 — Shere filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in the Florida State Supreme Court.
• 09/12/02 — The Florida Supreme Court denied the petition.
• 10/28/02 — Rehearing was denied.
• 09/26/00 — Shere filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus in the United States District Court, Middle District.
• 02/25/03 — Shere filed a 3.850 Motion in the Circuit Court.
• 10/20/03 — The motion was denied.
• 11/12/03 — Shere filed a 3.850 Appeal in the Florida Supreme Court.
• 04/01/05 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of Shere’s 3.850 Motion.

Background

Shere received a life sentence for the Second Degree Murder of Drew Snyder (#89-0021).

The offence

• Count I: First-Degree Murder (indicted on 02/02/88; found guilty on 04/21/89)

Investigation

On 09/01/89, Shere received two three-and-a-half year sentences for Possession of Firearm by a Felon and Carrying a Concealed Firearm (#89-0512).

Trial

• 04/26/89 — Upon advisory sentencing, the jury voted for the death penalty by a 7 to 5 majority.
• Direct Appeal issues (filed 06/12/89) included that the trial court erred in:
  • denying his motion for a mistrial,
  • denying his motion to suppress statements that he made to detectives,
  • calling Greulich to testify,
  • denying post-trial motions for a jury interview.

Sentencing

• 04/17/89 — Shere was sentenced as follows:
  • Count I: First-Degree Murder — Death

Appeals

• Direct appeal: The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and sentence on 04/04/91, and rehearing was denied on 06/04/91; a Mandate was issued on 07/11/91.
• 3.850 Motion (Hernando County Circuit Court): filed 02/02/93; denied 08/18/97.
• 3.850 Appeal (Florida Supreme Court): filed 10/16/97; denied 06/24/99; rehearing was denied 08/24/99; a Mandate was issued 09/23/99.
• 3.850 Motion (Hernando County Circuit Court): filed 04/15/98; denied 05/07/98.
• Florida habeas petition: filed 09/25/00; denied 09/12/02; rehearing was denied 10/28/02. Shere claimed that counsel was ineffective because the counsel did not certain issues on appeal, and that he was incompetent, thus executing him would constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
• Federal habeas petition (United States District Court, Middle District): filed 09/26/00; the petition was currently pending.
• 3.850 Motion (Circuit Court): filed 02/25/03; denied 10/20/03.
• 3.850 Appeal (Florida Supreme Court): filed 11/12/03; the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial on 04/01/05.

Outcome

The conviction and sentence were affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court on 04/04/91. The Florida Supreme Court denied the appeal on 06/24/99. The Florida Supreme Court denied the Florida habeas petition on 09/12/02. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of Shere’s 3.850 Motion on 04/01/05. The federal petition filed 09/26/00 in the United States District Court, Middle District, was currently pending.