Williams v. State

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida affirmed both the conviction and the death sentence of Richard Sherman Williams. The Court rejected his claims that the jury failed to understand the unanimity requirement, that the trial judge abused discretion by denying a continuance, and that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. The Court held that the jury verdict was unanimous, the denial of continuance was within judicial discretion, and the ineffective assistance claim was procedurally barred.