The Florida Supreme Court unanimously upheld the death sentence of Matthew Caylor on Thursday for the 2008 murder of a 13-year-old girl in a Panama City motel room. Justices rejected Caylor’s arguments challenging his conviction for first-degree murder and sexual battery in the killing of Melinda Hinson.
The victim’s body was discovered under a bed in the Valu-Lodge Motel, where her family had been residing. Caylor had previously stayed at the motel.
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Caylor’s case has been through several legal proceedings. In 2017, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing hearing following a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
During the 2021 hearing, Caylor waived certain rights, including the right to a jury. He later attempted to withdraw this waiver, a request denied by a Bay County circuit judge. The judge subsequently re-imposed the death sentence.
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Caylor’s appeal to the Supreme Court focused, in part, on the denial of his request for a jury. However, the Supreme Court supported the circuit judge’s finding that the request was made in “bad faith” and intended to cause a delay.
“Because there is substantial evidence supporting the trial court’s findings, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Caylor’s request to withdraw his waiver of the penalty phase jury,” wrote Justice Renatha Francis in the Court’s opinion.
Caylor, now 49, is currently an inmate at Union Correctional Institution.
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