Latrail Onrillious Jones v. State of Florida

Latrail Onrillious Jones (“appellant”) appeals his convictions for burglary of a dwelling, criminal mischief, and petit theft. He argues that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to admit the deposition testimony of a deceased witness as substantive evidence in light of her unanticipated death prior to trial. Appellant never moved to perpetuate this testimony pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.190(i) (“rule 3.190(i)”), but argues the deposition could have been properly admitted under section 90.804, Florida Statutes, because the witness was unavailable. For the…