The prosecution proceeded under both premeditated and felony first degree murder theories, and the jury was instructed accordingly. The jury recommended life sentences, but the trial judge overrode the recommendation and sentenced Amazon to death.Īmazon first challenges his prosecution for felony murder after he was subjected to jeopardy for the underlying crimes of burglary and sexual battery. Amazon was convicted of first-degree murder on both counts. The trial judge denied the motion, and the district court declined to review the order, without prejudice to raise the issue on appeal. Before trial, Amazon pleaded guilty to the burglary and sexual battery charges then moved to dismiss the murder charges on double jeopardy grounds. The same day as the indictments, the state filed an information charging burglary and sexual battery. At first denying the crimes, Amazon eventually confessed to detectives.Ī grand jury indicted Amazon on two counts of first-degree murder. Other circumstantial evidence also linked him to the murders. Twelve hours later, he was arrested after his fingerprints were matched to those found on a window screen pried off the Chapin's window to gain entry. there had been two homes entered that night. He concocted a burglary of his own home, either before or after the murders, and went to *10 police with an exculpatory story, i.e. Jennifer was found lying next to the telephone, her mother was found downstairs.Īmazon, who lived next door to the Chapins, was among the crowd watching the subsequent police investigation. A neighbor had been alerted when she received a telephone call from Jennifer, interrupted by screams. Neighbors found Joy Chapin and her eleven-year-old daughter, Jennifer, dying from multiple stab wounds in their Pinellas County home early in the morning of December 1, 1981. We affirm the convictions, but vacate the sentences and remand with directions. Jurisdiction is mandatory pursuant to article V, section 3(b)(1), Florida Constitution.
We review Ira Amazon's convictions and sentences to death for the murders of a mother and daughter. Public Defender, Chief, Capital Appeals, Tenth Judicial Circuit, Bartow, for appellant.
*9 James Marion Moorman, Public Defender, and W.C.
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