Burney v. State

Eugene Burney appeals his convictions for first and second degree murder. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

We reverse because we conclude that the trial court erred in permitting hearsay testimony to be introduced. Bur-ney correctly contends that hearsay testimony by Howard1 and James2 was improperly introduced to the effect that unidentified individuals had implicated Bur-ney in the murders. In support of the admissibility of the testimony, the state asserts that the witnesses’ testimony was necessary to present a logical sequence of events to the jury. In State v. Baird, 572 So.2d 904,…