WARRANT: Circuit court Scheduling Order
Yesterday, after a case management conference, the circuit court entered a Scheduling Order, outlining the schedule for warrant-related litigation.
James Ford’s execution is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025—the first for the State in 2025.
On Friday, the State filed a Motion for Scheduling Order in the Charlotte County circuit court.
On Monday, Judge Lisa Porter was assigned to the case. Shortly after being assigned, on Monday afternoon, Judge Porter set and held a case management conference (CMC). The transcript from the CMC can be downloaded here. Ford’s counsel indicated they intend to file a successive postconviction motion, which is customary after a warrant is signed. Ford’s counsel asked for leave to extend the page-limit for that filing, which the Court granted. Ford’s counsel also indicated they will be seeking an evidentiary hearing on Ford’s claims.
The Court also addressed scheduling for warrant-related litigation—i.e., the State’s motion above. After the CMC, the Court entered a Scheduling Order, which outlines the following schedule:
January 14 at noon: Ford shall file any additional public records requests (PRRs)
January 15 at noon: Agencies must file objections to Ford’s PRRs
January 15 at 4:00 p.m.: FDOC must provide inmate records to Ford’s counsel and hearing on PRRs, if needed
January 16 at 10:00 a.m.: Court will issue Order on PRRs
January 19 at 9:00 a.m.: Postconviction motion due
January 20 at noon: State’s response to Ford’s postconviction motion due
January 21 at 10:30 a.m.: Hearing to determine whether an evidentiary hearing is necessary
January 21 at 3:00 p.m.: Court will issue Order on necessity of evidentiary hearing
January 23 at 10:30 a.m.: Evidentiary hearing, if needed
January 24 at 11:00 a.m.: Court will issue Order on Ford’s postconviction motion
The full Scheduling Order can be downloaded here.
Three hearings have been set:
TFDP Prior Coverage of the Ford Warrant
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant- and execution-related process.