Chad Mercer v. State of Florida

Appellant, Chad Mercer, raises several challenges to his convictions and sentences for manslaughter, aggravated battery, and felony battery. We affirm, but write to address Mercer’s claim that his convictions for aggravated battery and manslaughter of the same victim violate the prohibition against double jeopardy.

I. Facts

On the night of October 17, 2014, a group of young people, including Mercer, gathered in a wooded area around a bonfire. A group of older men—Jackie McClendon, Scott Parker, and Danny Mayo—came across the group of young people while mud bogging in the woods. Some óf the…