Caylor v. State

This case is before this Court on direct appeal from a judgment of conviction of first-degree murder and a sentence of death.1 The appellant, Matthew Lee Cay-lor, was convicted after a jury trial of first-degree murder, sexual battery involving great physical force, and aggravated child abuse. The convictions were based on the 2008 killing of thirteen-year-old Melinda Hinson in Panama City, Florida. At the end of the penalty phase of Caylor’s trial, the jury recommended the death penalty by a vote of eight to four, and the trial court followed the jury’s recommendation in its sentencing…