Copeland v. State

Dontavious Copeland appeals his conviction for first-degree murder and his sentence to life without the possibility of parole. Copeland raises three issues on appeal. We affirm on all grounds and write only to address Copeland’s argument that a juvenile convicted of first-degree murder cannot be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole pursuant to section 775.082, Florida Statutes (2012).

Copeland was convicted for the murder of Jearicka Mack, a fifteen-year-old bystander at the scene of a parking lot fight outside a club. Eyewitnesses testified at trial that Copeland was involved…