FL H0631

Acknowledges that Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas (known as "the Groveland Four") were victims of gross injustices in a 1949 rape case in Lake County, Florida, where evidence of innocence was suppressed and confessions were coerced through brutal beatings.

Extends a formal apology to the four men and their families for the criminal justice system's failure to protect their constitutional rights, including denial of exculpatory medical evidence at trial and violent mistreatment by law enforcement.

Details how Ernest Thomas was killed by a deputized posse of approximately 1,000 men with bloodhounds after a 30-hour hunt, Samuel Shepherd was shot and killed by Sheriff Willis McCall in 1951, and Walter Irvin was shot multiple times but survived and was retried and convicted despite evidence of manufactured forensic evidence.

Urges the Governor and Cabinet to expedite clemency review of all four cases, including consideration of granting full pardons.

Directs copies of the resolution be provided to the Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and the families of the Groveland Four.