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Justices Won't Hear Carrollwood Woman's Killer's Appeal

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TBO.com

Published: September 24, 2008

Updated: 09/24/2008 11:13 pm

  Adam Davis

The state Supreme Court has refused to rehear the appeal of a man convicted in the 1998 murder of Vicki Robinson.

The attorneys for death row inmate Adam "Rattlesnake" Davis had filed an appeal arguing that during his trial in 1999, Davis' lawyers did not provide an effective defense. That appeal was denied June 5.

Fifteen days later, Davis' attorneys filed a motion for a rehearing on the appeal.

On Monday, the Supreme Court denied the motion for the rehearing, records show.

It is typical in capital punishment cases to for defense attorneys to file numerous motions and appeals, Stetson University College of Law professor Charlie Rose said.

"You've got to show you've exhausted all avenues," Rose said.

Davis' attorneys may likely file the request for a rehearing to the U.S. Supreme Court, but Rose said he thinks the nation's highest court also will deny it.

Davis, now 29, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He and his 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, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 1999. He testified against Davis and Valessa Robinson at their trials and avoided a possible death penalty.

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

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