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Tommy S. Groover v. Florida

Florida Supreme Court
489 So. 2d 15 (1986)

Written by Monica Rottermann , JD

Facts

Tommy S. Groover (defendant) was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death and life imprisonment. During Groover’s pretrial incarceration, he was administered large doses of an antipsychotic drug. After Groover was convicted, he filed a motion to vacate the conviction and requested a stay of execution from the trial court. Groover argued that his trial attorney failed to order a psychological evaluation or question Groover’s competency in spite of evidence that Groover suffered from brain damage, was an individual with intellectual disabilities, and suffered from serious side effects related to drug use. The trial court denied Groover’s motions without a hearing, and Groover sought review with the Florida Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)

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Dissent (Boyd, C.J.)

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