NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The hearing for the man who admitted to shooting and killing Nassau County deputy Joshua Moyers in September 2021 is set for Monday at 1:00 pm. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
The list of witnesses registered to testify at Patrick McDowell’s sentencing trial has grown to over 40. In a document recently filed in Nassau County court, McDowell’s defense attorneys added the names of four people to speak on his behalf. That now includes McDowell’s 13-year-old son.
It’s unclear if McDowell will be physically in the courtroom Monday, but as a potential sentencing trial inches closer, his attorneys are calling on more people to speak.
The list of witnesses includes McDowell’s 13-year-old son, who lives out of state, two childhood friends, and a friend who served with him in Iraq.
Those four join several others on the list including Nassau County deputies, McDowell’s father, and psychologists.
After shooting Moyers, McDowell was on the run, leading to a multi-day manhunt in Nassau County.
Breiana Tole pleaded guilty to accessory for trying to help get McDowell out of the area and escape arrest she is also on the list to testify.
Also at issue in McDowell’s case is how the standard for jury recommendation for the death penalty would be applied. McDowell’s attorneys have filed a motion for him to be sentenced under the previous law that required a unanimous jury vote.
Under current Florida law, the death penalty only requires an 8-4 majority.
As of now, McDowell’s sentencing trial is expected to start at the earliest, this April. The hearing Monday in Nassau County court is set for 1:00 p.m.
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
