Court Affirms Trial Court’s Decision, Citing Lack of Prejudice from Defense Attorney’s Performance
A Florida appeals court affirmed Friday the conviction of Robert K. Bavle, who was found guilty of manslaughter in a 2017 shooting. The Fifth District Court of Appeal rejected Bavle’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, concluding that even with the additional evidence his attorney allegedly failed to present, the outcome of the trial would likely have been the same.
The case stems from a June 18, 2017, incident in which Bavle shot and killed a victim outside a WingHouse restaurant in Ocala. According to trial testimony, the victim initiated a physical altercation by striking Bavle. In response, Bavle fired 13 rounds, continuing to shoot and pursue the victim as he retreated across a parking lot. After the victim fell to the ground, a witness testified that Bavle stood over him and fired six or seven more rounds.
Bavle, who claimed self-defense, was ultimately convicted of the lesser-included offense of manslaughter and sentenced to 28 years in prison…