J.B. Parker resentenced to life.
After receiving a second resentencing after Hurst, J.B. Parker has been resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
J.B. Parker is listed on the DOC death row roster as his sentence pending review, along with several others who were granted Hurst relief and are still awaiting resentencing. However, that appears to be out-of-date.1 An article posted by Proskauer Rose LLC on April 12, 2023, reveals that J.B. Parker has been resentenced to life after the state agreed to drop the death penalty in his resentencing after Hurst.
Parker was convicted of first-degree murder in 1983. He was sentenced to death after the jury recommended death by a vote of 8-4.
A warrant was issued for his execution in October 1987. According to the Proskauer article, his defense team “obtained a stay of execution to permit the filing of a federal habeas petition” just “[h]ours before the execution.”
In 1998, the Supreme Court of Florida vacated Parker’s sentence due to a Brady violation and granted a new penalty phase.
In 2000, after a new penalty phase, Parker was resentenced to death after a jury voted 11-1 to recommend death. On direct appeal, the Supreme Court of Florida affirmed his sentence of death.
After Hurst, Parker was granted another resentencing. He was entitled to retroactive application of Hurst because his sentence from the 2000 penalty phase became final after Ring.
Although Parker’s defense team was preparing for the resentencing, the state ultimately dropped the death penalty, and Parker was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
NOTE: Florida’s statute no longer allows for parole. However, the age of Parker’s crime means that the old statute, which did allow for parole after 25 years, applies. His profile on the DOC website states his release date as “PENDING.”
According to the article, Proskauer provided pro bono representation to Parker for 35 years.