Kayle Bates was sentenced to death by the State of Florida for the murder of Janet White
According to court documents Bates would kidnap Janet White who would be sexually assaulted and murdered
Kayle Bates would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
Kayle Bates Photos
Kayle Bates FAQ
Where Is Kayle Bates Now
Kayle Bates is incarcerated at Union Correctional Institute
Kayle Bates Case
A death row inmate is asking for another chance at life nearly 35 years after he kidnapped and attempted to rape a woman before stabbing her to death.
Kayle Bates, 59, was convicted in 1983 for the murder of 24-year-old Janet Renee White. He was sentenced to death afterward, which was later upheld by another jury. Bates’ attorney, however, made the case Thursday for a new sentence in light of recent changes to Florida’s death penalty procedures.
The case dates back to the afternoon of June 14, 1982, when Bates — 25 at the time — kidnapped White while she was working alone at a State Farm Insurance office. He then dragged her into a wooded area behind the building, attempted to rape her, stabbed her to death and removed a diamond ring from one of her fingers
A Bay County jury voted 11-1 to recommend the death sentence for Bates, which was imposed by a 14th Judicial Circuit judge in 1985.
In light of recent decisions regarding Florida’s death penalty procedures, though, Bates’ attorneys argued the U.S. Supreme Court ruling requiring a unanimous jury decision for the death penalty should retroactively apply to him as a matter of fairness
Bates already had a second chance at a sentencing in the 1990s, but a jury again found him deserving of death in a 9-to-3 vote, and the judge in the case agreed.
Prosecutors argued the recent court decision that found Florida’s death penalty rules unconstitutional is only retroactive to cases back to June 2002.
Circuit Judge Hentz McClellan is expected to issue a ruling on Bates’ request soon, but a date has not been announced. Both sides are expected to appeal until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on the retroactive issue
