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Florida High Court Denies Condemned Man's Appeal

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By NEIL JOHNSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 6, 2008

TAMPA - The state Supreme Court on Thursday denied the appeal of a man convicted in the 1998 murder of Vicki Robinson, a killing in which he was aided by her 15-year-old daughter.

Attorneys for Adam "Rattlesnake" Davis, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, turned to the Supreme Court to appeal a lower-court decision.

Attorneys argued that Davis' lawyers didn't provide an effective defense during the trial, which ended in a jury recommendation that he be executed.

Thursday, the Supreme Court denied the claim that attorneys for Davis were ineffective. The ruling upheld a similar ruling from an appellate court.

Davis, now 29, and girlfriend Valessa Robinson were found guilty in the murder of 49-year-old real estate agent Vicki Robinson, who was stabbed and injected with bleach in her Carrollwood home.

A friend of the couple, Jon Whispel, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to testify against Davis and Valessa Robinson.

During Valessa Robinson's trial, prosecutors said she wanted to kill her mother because Vicki Robinson wanted to end the girl's relationship with Davis.
Vicki Robinson was popular in her church and community. More than 100 people showed up for a vigil at her house the day after her daughter told investigators where to find the body.

The state high court's ruling Thursday was its second review of Davis' trial and death sentence.

In 2003, attorneys for Davis appealed the conviction and sentence, an appeal the Supreme Court denied.

In 1999, Whispel was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He testified against Davis and Valessa Robinson at their trials and avoided a possible death penalty.

In 2000, Valessa Robinson was found guilty of third-degree murder along with theft charges and sentenced to 20 years.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731 or njohnson@tampatrib.com.

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