In 2013, Reynaldo Figueroa-Sanabria was found guilty of the brutal murders of John Travlos and Germana Morin aboard a houseboat in St. Petersburg, Florida. Initially, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection based on the jury's recommendation. However, in a significant turn of events in 2019, the Florida Supreme Court overturned this sentence, citing procedural mistakes, and ordered a new sentencing trial.

This retrial began on a Monday, with Figueroa-Sanabria, now 51, making a striking appearance in court dressed in a loose, red prison uniform. Unlike his first trial, Figueroa-Sanabria chose to forego a jury, opting instead for a bench trial, thus placing the weighty decision of his fate into the hands of Judge Pat Siracusa. Represented by attorneys Keith Hammond and Daniel Hernandez, he pleaded for a life sentence instead of the death penalty.

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn his death sentence was based on the revelation that Figueroa-Sanabria had been misinformed about his legal representation options during the initial penalty phase. This miscommunication underscored the importance of ensuring that defendants fully understand their rights and the procedures affecting their fate.

The case against Figueroa-Sanabria stemmed from the heinous acts he committed in April 2013. Employed by Travlos for maintenance on his boat, the Relax-Inn, Figueroa-Sanabria exploited this position to orchestrate a deadly plan. He gained access to the houseboat through a sliding glass door in the early morning hours, coerced Travlos at knifepoint to open a safe containing jewelry and gold, and subsequently murdered both Travlos and Morin.

In the 2019 trial, prosecutors presented compelling evidence including Figueroa-Sanabria's DNA on duct tape used to bind the victims and Travlos’ blood found inside a van his girlfriend drove to pick him up after the crime. This evidence was pivotal in securing his conviction.

During the new sentencing trial, witness Robert Hodge testified about Figueroa-Sanabria's growing frustrations with Travlos and Morin over unpaid labor, hinting at a financial motive behind the murders. Additional testimony from other witnesses helped reconstruct the events and timeline surrounding the tragic day.

As the retrial unfolds, Judge Siracusa must carefully consider the evidence and testimonies to determine whether Figueroa-Sanabria will receive a life sentence or face execution. The decision, expected by the end of the following week, will not only seal Figueroa-Sanabria’s fate but also mark the culmination of a long and complex legal process, highlighting the critical balance of justice and procedural integrity in capital cases.