PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) – On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court upheld Michael H. Hunt\u2019s first-degree murder conviction and death sentence for a shooting that happened in April 2019.<\/p>\n
The quadruple shooting took place in The Cove and left one teenager dead and three seriously injured. <\/p>\n
The Court also affirmed Hunt\u2019s three convictions for Attempted First-Degree Murder and Armed Burglary of a Dwelling. Hunt was convicted of these charges on September 13, 2023. The jury recommended the death penalty by a 10-2 vote and Circuit Judge Shonna Young Gay sentenced Hunt to death Jan. 18, 2024.<\/p>\n
The decision to uphold Hunt\u2019s conviction is significant because Hunt\u2019s death penalty sentence is the first to be reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court since the Legislature removed the requirement for a unanimous jury.<\/p>\n
State Attorney Larry Basford said they were very pleased with the decision. <\/p>\n
\u201cMichael 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,\u201d said Basford.<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cWe are glad the Florida Supreme Court agrees with us, the judge, and the jury that voted for the death penalty.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The intended victim hid and managed to escape harm, but Alexandra \u201cLexie\u201d Peck, 19, who resembled the victim, was shot and killed. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A joint investigation by the Panama City Police Department, the Bay County Sheriff\u2019s Office, and the State Attorney\u2019s Office led to a manhunt for the defendant, who was arrested the next day.<\/p>\n
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