State of Florida v. James Guzman
DOB: 07/19/1979
1991-006795 CFAES – 1.) First Degree Murder 2.) Robbery with a Deadly Weapon
DBPD Case # 910822222
Date of Offense: 08/10/1991
Jury Recommends Death for Guzman 11-1, Final Sentencing Date to be Set
DAYTONA BEACH – A Daytona Beach man previously convicted twice of the murder of David Lee Colvin in 1991 was convicted by a Volusia County Jury of First Degree Murder and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon for the third time on April 27, 2016. James Guzman, who turned 52 on that day, was convicted following a seven-day trial and approximately four hours of deliberation. The jury, comprised of eight men and four women, recommended the death penalty for Guzman today, May 3, 2016, following a short deliberation.
Jurors voted 11-1 in favor of the death penalty and agreed unanimously that four aggravating factors existed in reaching the recommendation: 1.) The defendant was previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of use of violence 2.) The capital felony was committed while the defendant was engaged in the commission of a robbery, 3.) The capital felony was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or effecting an escape from custody, 4.) The capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
The next court hearing will be what is known as a “Spencer Hearing,” where the defense will have an opportunity to present evidence of mitigating circumstances and for the defendant to speak on his own behalf to the court. The final sentencing date has yet to be set.
Assistant State Attorney Ed Davis of the State Attorney’s Homicide Unit prosecuted the case with Assistant State Attorney John Reid, of the Career Criminal Unit. Circuit Judge Terence R. Perkins presided over the case and will preside over the final sentencing hearing to be set at a later date.
Spencer S. Hathaway
Public Information Officer / Assistant State Attorney
Office of R.J. Larizza
State Attorney, Seventh Judicial Circuit
251 N. Ridgewood Avenue
(386)239-7710
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