Barnes v. State

James Phillip Barnes, a prisoner under sentence of death, appeals the order of the circuit court denying his initial motion to vacate his conviction for first-degree murder and sentence of death filed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. Because the order concerns postconviction relief from a capital conviction for which a sentence of death was imposed, this Court has jurisdiction under article V, section 3(b)(1), Florida Constitution. For the reasons expressed below, we affirm the circuit court’s denial of postconviction relief.

BACKGROUND AND FACTS

Barnes was convicted of the 1988…