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Bates post-conviction hearing
The Bay County Courthouse annex was the scene, October 16 and 17, for a
hearing on the Kayle Bates motion for post-conviction relief. Bates was
sentenced to death in 1983 and again in 1995. He now claims that his trial
counsel did not do enough to research and present mental health mitigation
evidence at the 1995 penalty phase trial.
Circuit Court Judge Don T. Sirmons presided over the hearing which included
testimony from both of Bates’s trial attorneys and a neuropsychologist who
was retained by the defense but not previously called.
Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Joe Grammer and Assistant Attorney
General Meredith Charbula prosecuted the case at the hearing.
Written closing arguments will be provided to the Court after delivery of a
hearing transcript. A ruling is expected in about 120 days.
Bates will remain on death row in the interim. He is one of nine on death
row for Bay County cases.
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