James Aren Duckett v. State of Florida

James Aren Duckett, a prisoner under sentence of death, appeals the circuit court’s order summarily denying his successive motion for postconviction relief, which was filed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. Because the order concerns postconviction relief from a sentence of death, this Court has jurisdiction of this appeal under article V, section 3(b)(1), Florida Constitution.

I. BACKGROUND

Duckett was a police officer in the City of Mascotte when he murdered eleven-year-old Teresa McAbee. Duckett v. State (Duckett I), 568 So.2d 891, 892 (Fla.1990). Although we more fully…