Tyrone Javellana v. State of Florida

Tyrone Javellana (“the defendant”) appeals his conviction for financial exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult, arguing that his motion for judgment of acquittal should have been granted. We agree, and we reverse and remand for the trial court to discharge the defendant.

The evidence at trial showed that the defendant and his wife, who was a co-defendant, were well acquainted with Mary Teris, an elderly woman with a vast financial estate. The defendant’s wife worked at an investment firm and she began assisting with Teris’ account in the early 1980s. In 1996, Teris executed a…