Lorenzo v. State
In this capital direct appeal, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed Steven Lorenzo's two first-degree murder convictions (entered via guilty plea) and two death sentences following a non-jury penalty phase. The Court held the trial court did not err in permitting Lorenzo to represent himself throughout the proceedings under Faretta, did not abuse its discretion by considering a mitigation report prepared by standby counsel with Lorenzo's input despite his later objection, and confirmed Lorenzo's guilty plea was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.
Key facts
- Steven Lorenzo was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and entered guilty pleas to both counts.
- The trial court conducted multiple Faretta colloquies and permitted Lorenzo to represent himself throughout the proceedings, with standby counsel assisting.
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Why it matters
This opinion reinforces settled Faretta and capital-mitigation principles rather than announcing new law, but it is useful precedent for capital and self-representation practice: it confirms that repeated, documented… — full analysis with a trial
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