The Florida Supreme Court Thursday upheld Michael H. Hunt’s first-degree murder conviction and death sentence for the April 4, 2019, quadruple shooting in the Cove that left a teenager dead and three seriously injured, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
The Court also upheld Hunt’s three convictions for Attempted First-Degree Murder and Armed Burglary of a Dwelling in its 39-page ruling. Hunt was found guilty of those charges Sept. 13, 2023, with the jury recommending the death penalty by a 10-2 vote. Circuit Judge Shonna Young Gay sentenced Hunt to death Jan. 18, 2024.
Thursday’s opinion is critical because the Hunt death penalty sentence is the first to be decided by the Florida Supreme Court since the Legislature rescinded the state’s unanimous-jury requirement. Under the 2023 legislation, an 8-4 vote for death is sufficient for the death penalty. Hunt’s jury voted 10-2 for the death penalty.
“We are very pleased with the well-reasoned landmark opinion,” Basford said. “Michael Hunt is a very dangerous man who attempted to kill a witness against him in a human trafficking case. He ended up murdering a teenager who had nothing to do with that case and tried to kill three other people in the home.
“We are glad the Florida Supreme Court agrees with us, the judge, and the jury that voted for the death penalty.”
Hunt planned the break-in at a Cove home on April 4, 2019, where the victim in a human trafficking case who was going to testify against him was staying. The intended victim hid and escaped harm, but Alexandra “Lexie” Peck, 19, who resembled the victim was shot to death. Her stepfather Danny Scoggins was shot in the throat but was able to crawl next door for help. He has endured more than 60 surgeries since. Two other people in the house were shot but survived.
A collaborative investigation led by the Panama City Police Department with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney’s Office led to a manhunt for the defendant. He was arrested the following day.
RELATED: Jury recommends death for Hunt
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Prosecutors Mark Graham and Peter Overstreet tried the case against Hunt and the jury reached a verdict in about an hour.
During sentencing, Judge Gay found that five aggravating factors had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and that they carried great weight. Gay found the defendant previously had been convicted of a crime involving violence, the murder occurred while committing a burglary, the murder was committed to disrupt or hinder a lawful investigation, the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, and that the murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.