GARY WAYNE RADFORD
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA

Fla. 6th DCA | 2026-08-28
No. 2025-2514
McGowan, J., White, J., Gannam, J., Pratt, J.
2026 FL 11171 Florida District Court of Appeal, Sixth District (2026)

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Holding

A sentence of life imprisonment is sufficiently definite and constitutionally sound under Florida law.


Headnotes

[1] A sentence of life imprisonment prescribed by the Legislature is sufficiently definite under Florida law to satisfy constitutional requirements, as the term 'life' can be…

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Key Quotes

“[T]he Legislature, by prescribing a sentence of life imprisonment, intends that the defendant remain in prison for the rest of his life. The term 'life' is sufficiently definite so that it can be understood and applied.”

Court's rationale for affirming the life sentence, citing Ratliff v. State, 914 So. 2d 938, 940 (Fla. 2005)

Facts & Procedural History

Gary Wayne Radford was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in Collier County Circuit Court. He appealed the sentence on grounds that appear t…

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Opinion of the Court

SIXTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF FLORIDA

Case No. 6D2025-2514 Lower Tribunal No. 1988-CF-001463

GARY WAYNE RADFORD, Appellant,

v.

STATE OF FLORIDA, Appellee.

Appeal pursuant to Fla. R. App. P. 9.141(b)(2) from the Circuit Court for Collier County. John McGowan, Judge.

August 28, 2026

PER CURIAM.

AFFIRMED. See Ratliff v. State, 914 So. 2d 938, 940 (Fla. 2005) (“[T]he Legislature, by prescribing a sentence of life imprisonment, intends that the defendant remain in prison for the rest of his life. The term 'life' is sufficiently definite so that it can be understood and applied.").

WHITE, GANNAM and PRATT, JJ., concur.

Gary Wayne Radford, Lake Butler, pro se.

James Uthmeier, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Marilyn Frances Muir, Chief Assistant Attorney General, Tampa, for Appellee.


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