Bay County: Michael Hunt sentenced to death
The trial court sentenced Michael Hunt to death following the jury's recommendation for death by a vote of 10-2.
Today, a Bay County trial court sentenced Michael Hunt to death following the jury’s recommendation for death by a vote of 10-2 in late 2023.
Hunt was tried in September 2023 for crimes that occurred in 2019. The jury convicted Hunt on all charges: first-degree murder, armed burglary of a dwelling, and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Following a penalty phase, the jury recommended by a vote of 10-2 that Hunt be sentenced to death. The jury found unanimously that the State proved all five aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt.
Today, the trial court held Hunt’s sentencing and sentenced Hunt to death on Count I for first-degree murder. As aggravation, the Court agreed with the jury and considered each aggravating factor as follows:
The Defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person (very great weight).
The capital felony was committed while the Defendant was engaged . . . in the commission of . . . a burglary (great weight).
The capital felony was committed to disrupt or hinder the lawful exercise of any governmental function or the enforcement of laws (very great weight).
The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel (very great weight).
The capital felony was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification (very great weight).
Further, the Court found the following mitigation:
The Defendant’s family dynamic (little weight);
The Defendant’s childhood trauma (some weight); and
The Defendant’s mental health (little weight).
After consideration, the Court sentenced Hunt to death.
The full Sentencing Order can be downloaded here.
This is the third death sentence imposed in the State of Florida following a jury’s non-unanimous recommendation for death under the 2023 statute.