George Carter, a 59-year-old pawn shop owner from Pensacola, Florida, was tragically murdered on January 23, 1991. The incident occurred during a robbery at his pawn shop, where he was fatally shot by Antonio Melton. Melton, who was 18 years old at the time, was later arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder and armed robbery. The prosecution's case was significantly bolstered by the testimony of Melton's co-defendant, Ben Lewis, who provided crucial evidence against him.
The
trial revealed that Melton had a history of violent crimes, including the murder of a cab driver named Ricky Saylor in November 1990. This prior conviction was used as an aggravating factor in Melton's sentencing. In 1994, an Escambia County jury recommended the death penalty for Melton with a split vote of 8-4. Despite numerous appeals, including a recent one based on a new law requiring unanimous jury decisions for death sentences, Melton's death sentence was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court.
The case has seen various legal challenges over the years, with Melton's defense arguing that the lack of unanimity in the jury's recommendation violated his constitutional rights. However, the courts have consistently ruled that the new law does not apply retroactively to Melton's case. As a result, Melton remains on death row, with his appeals for post-conviction relief being denied.
The murder of George Carter and the subsequent legal proceedings have left a lasting impact on the Pensacola community. The case highlights the complexities of the legal system and the ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty and jury unanimity in capital cases.
