Ricky Roberts Execution (The state's case)

Note: Ricky's execution has been stayed. Further info as I get it..

• My original comments
• Florida State Case summary
• Questions about the summary

Case Summary

This is one of the documents used by the Governor's office to justify sentencing Ricky Roberts to death.

Rickey Roberts approached the care and Napoles awoke. Roberts asked Napoles and the female for identification. The two victims thought Roberts was an undercover agent. Roberts frisked and the young woman, touching her breasts and thighs. became suspicious and asked Roberts for identification. reached into his car and grabbed a baseball bat and repeatedly hit over the head and back. fell down, and continued striking and kicking him. Medical testimony revealed that the blows caused a crushing fracture to the skull that extended to the base. There were defensive wounds to the hands and crushed bones in the fingers. The massive blows did not render unconscious, and he survived for one or two hours.

With bat in hand, Roberts ordered the woman to undress and get into his car. He then drove a short distance down the beach and raped her in the back seat of his car.

They returned to the scene and checked and the sleeping female. told the rape and kidnap victim that was "Dead as a door knob" and "you know, you're really going to get it." He also told her that he was a hit man and killed people for a living. again raped the victim and threatened to kill her and her family if she called the police. The victim reported the crimes shortly after her release.

Officers arrived at the scene of the crimes and located the body of George Napoles. The rape victim described her assailant and the police issued a local media release. On July 5(sic), 1984, acting on an anonymous tip, police located Rickey working as a cleaning man at a local lounge. voluntarily appeared at the Miami Police Station for further questions, was advised of his Miranda rights, fingerprinted and photographed.

After a positive match of fingerprints and identification by the rape victim, Roberts was arrested on June 5, 1984.

My Questions

According to the state, Ricky seems to have been willinge to kill George Napoles to cover up a charge of fondling. He then supposedly took the fondling victim (who had also seen the murder) raped her, returned to the crime scene, verified that Mr. Napoles was dead and then drove the victim/witness home.

This is, if nothing else, further proof that his defence lawyer was -- at the very least -- incompetent. Even if the accusations are true they would provide prima-facia grounds for an insanity defence.

Not only that, but: Why would the victim give Ricky her home address after he had killed her companion, raped her and threatened her life?