James Adams v. Louie L. Wainwright

Convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death, James Adams appeals the denial of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus. All of Adams’ arguments on appeal concern the imposition of the death penalty. We affirm essentially on the basis of the district court’s extensive opinion. We briefly review the case and address Adams’ contentions seriatim as presented to us.

In the course of a robbery at the victim’s home, Adams beat Edgar Brown senseless with a firepoker. Brown died the following day. A Florida jury found Adams guilty of murder and recommended the death penalty, which the…