Owen Warrant Update: Petition filed at SCOTUS

Owen has filed a petition for writ of certiorari seeking review of the Florida Supreme Court’s determination he is sane to be executed. The State also responded in federal court.

Duane Owen’s execution is scheduled for this Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

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Owen Seeks Review at SCOTUS

As expected, Owen has filed a petition for writ of certiorari and application for stay of execution in the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Florida Supreme Court’s decision that he is sane to be executed.

Here are the questions presented in the petition:

A petition related to the Florida Supreme Court’s decision affirming the Palm Beach County trial court’s rulings is not yet docketed.

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State’s Response in Federal Court

Also today, the State filed its response to Owen’s petition for writ of habeas corpus in the federal district court. Here’s how they rephrased Owen’s two claims:

At one point, the State argues that Owen merely challenges the trial court’s credibility determinations.

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Prior TFDP coverage of Owen’s case

• The background of Owen’s case can be found here.

• Background on the statutory process and the proceedings in Palm Beach County is available here.

• The history of Rule 3.811 is here.

• The Governor’s Executive Order temporarily staying the execution to allow for the Commission’s examination of Owen is covered here.

• The Governor’s determination after the Commission’s report is covered here.

• The four-part series on the history of Owen’s mental illness can be found here:

  • Part I

  • Part II

  • Part III

  • Part IV

• The transcript from the Bradford County’s case management conference on May 26 is summarized here.

• An update on the pending litigation related to Owen’s execution as of May 31, 2023, is here.

• Owen’s Motion seeking review of the Governor’s determination and the evidence attached to the Motion is covered here.

• The first day of testimony in Bradford County is covered here.

• The second day of testimony in Bradford County is covered here.

• The Bradford County trial court’s ruling is covered here.

• The Florida Supreme Court’s decision on Owen’s appeal of the Palm Beach County court’s orders is covered here.

• Litigation update as of June 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. is here.

• Litigation update as of June 7, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. is here.

• The State’s Answer Brief and Owen’s Reply Brief are covered here.

• The Florida Supreme Court’s decision affirming the Bradford County court’s determination that Owen is sane to be executed is covered here.

• Owen’s petition for writ of habeas corpus filed in the federal court on Friday is covered here.

• The federal district court’s denial of Owen’s motion for emergency stay over the weekend is covered here.

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My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant and execution process.