Browse Items (37 total)
- Collection: Michael A. Mello Papers, Series 1 News Clippings, Binder 3, 1995
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'Crazy Joe' is guilty, must die, Chiles says
One of 'Crazy Joe' friends says he was and was not lying to the cops and his testimony was a big part of putting Spaziano away.
Raid raises questions about law privileges
The article discusses the raid of a criminal defense lawyer named William A. Hunter. The raid secured his records and files. The raid was due to federal investigators suspecting Hunter of helping his client launder money. The article discusses the…
Killer requests clemency hearing
Joe Spaziano is seeking clemency after the key witness in the trial doubts his testimony was accurate. Another investigation into the case 21 years later has been authorized by the Governor of Florida.
Agency that helps inmates on death row to close doors
In Tallahassee Florida an agency is being shut down that helps inmates on death row. The agency is losing its federal funding and cannot keep its doors open for inmates. Another agency in Florida is going to attempt to take over the caseload.
Pensacolian halts man's execution
Anthony Dilisio, a car upholsterer and restorer, recanted a twenty year old testimony made on May 13, 1975 that placed Joseph Spaziano on death row for the murders of two people in 1976. At the time of the testimony, Dilisio, then a sixteen year…
Gov. Chiles Halts Execution After Witness Recants
Witness claims Florida police planted story in his head using hypnosis.
Closing the door on innocence
News article covering Mello's continued defense of Joseph Spaziano 23 days before his execution is carried out.
A man may die under cover of secrecy
Joe Spaziano's execution is still likely to occur even though the only witness recanted his testimony. Most of the evidence that Governor Lawton Chiles has to condemn Spaziano has not been made publicly available or brought to court.
Murder charge reduced in Allen case
Charges against Jeffrey Allen in the shooting death of Richard Allen have been reduced from first-degree to second-degree murder.
Spaziano asks Chiles, Cabinet for clemency hearing
Joe Spaziano was convicted of torture murder of an Orlando woman and raping another. But he was freed by a Florida Cabinet.
Spaziano to take case to governor instead of courts
Spaziano's lawyers want him to be declared innocent and pardoned by Governor Chiles. One of the key witnesses for Spaziano's original case admitted he lied in his original witness testimony.
Connecticut's Death Penalty Bills Open the Door to More Executions
Article in the New York Times describing the passage of new death penalty statues in Connecticut. After years of technically having a death penalty that could not be implemented in practice, Connecticut is about to have a "workable" death penalty. In…
The case of the hypnotized witness
The article discusses the swiftness that the judicial system prefers the capital punishment system operate. Joseph Spaziano's case received a large amount of publicity and another appeal due to the vague testimony offered by a witness who had been…
Shifts in law come too late to aid killer of Florida couple
The issue of Raleigh Porter's death sentence by electric chair could have been avoided due to newer laws in Florida courts.
'Crazy Joe' defense to dispute secret probe
On Tuesday August 29, 1995, "Crazy Joe" Spaziano's defense lawyer Michael Mello challenges death warrant.
"A Lawyer Who Served Life"
A newspaper article from the "Rutland Daily Herald" by Michael Mello. It is four paragraphs long. It discusses the public's view of lawyers and why they are not trusted
Clemency sought in death case
The article discusses a plea for clemency in the death sentence of a motorcycle gang member after the key witness for the prosecution recanted their testimony.
Chiles orders execution of killer
Governor Chiles orders the execution of Joe Spaziano after new evidence from witnesses is presented. Spaziano's attorney, Michael Mello, is reported as believing this information from the witnesses is fraudulent.
Spaziano's lawyer wants off case
Lawyer for Joseph Spaziano, Michael Mello, asks The Florida Bar if he should remain on the case. Due to lack of time and money, Mello finds this case hindered.